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"Good
Tidings of Great Joy"
The
birth of a baby.
A raise in salary. Good grades on a report card.
Recovery from an illness.
These things bring joy to our lives because
they are good news!
But,
hear the greatest
news of all as the angel told some
shepherds out on the Judean countryside almost 2,000
years ago:
“Behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to
all people. For
there is born to you this day in the city of David a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke
2:10-11).
The
“great joy” of which the angel spoke was
not the joy that we have because of time off from
work, the family get-togethers, and the giving of
gifts that are often associated with Christmas, a time
that many in the world recognize as the birthday of
Jesus. The
joy of which the angel spoke is called great
because of the greatest blessings that Christ brings.
The
greatest problem in the world today -- both globally
and individually -- is
NOT the economy, world hunger, and education (although
these are great needs
and MUST be addressed).
The greatest problem in the world today is SIN!
SIN is universal -- “for all have
sinned” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin
is death” (Romans 6:23).
-
SIN
is deceptive.
It promises personal freedom, but brings us
into bondage (see Luke 15:11-32).
It appears attractive, but is hideously
ugly (see Isaiah 1:5-6).
It appears to be satisfying and
pleasurable, but ultimately it is disappointing
and painful (Hebrews 11:25).
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SIN
is divisive.
It separates a man from his family, a man
from his friends (Proverbs 16:28), and most
tragically, a man from God. "Behold, the
Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have separated you from
your God; And your sins have hidden His face from
you, So that He will not hear" (Isaiah
59:1-2).
-
SIN
is destructive.
It will destroy your good name (Proverbs
22:1).
It can destroy your body (1 Corinthians
6:18-21).
Sin will destroy you emotionally (cf. Psalm
32:1-4), economically (Luke 15:13-14) and
spiritually (Romans 6:23).
Indeed,
SIN is man’s greatest problem.
But,
Christ is God’s answer to the problem of sin.
He is the Savior! This is the good news that brings great joy!
As someone has well said:
“If
our greatest need was for information........God
would have sent an educator.
If
our greatest need was for technology.........God
would have sent a scientist.
If
our greatest need was for pleasure............God
would have sent an entertainer.
If
our greatest need was for money...............God
would have sent an economist.
But since our greatest need was (is) forgiveness........God
sent a Savior!”
The
greatest news of all is that those who believe in
Christ (Acts 16:31), repent of their sins (Acts
17:30), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), are
baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38), and continue to
follow Him (1 John 1:9-10) have their sins washed away
by the blood of Christ!
The good news is that not only did Christ come
into the world, but that He also died on the cross,
was buried and rose again so that we might have the
forgiveness of sin!
Have
you obeyed the Lord so that you may be forgiven of sin
and rejoice in the greatest news of all?
God
bless you!
David A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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