The Birth

Let me begin this series telling all of you I am a sinner of great magnitude and am washed clean by the blood of Jesus. I am a recovering Alcoholic, drug addict and sex addict. I have had many extra marital affairs, engaged in illegal activities and used substances to dull my senses. To those who can relate to that list read on and share your story if so inclined. I say all these things to let you know that I have been far removed from the Kingdom of God and I have been welcomed back when I never thought that was possible..Me, an adulterer, thief, liar, covetor, and murderer (in the biblical sense not real) was accepted by Jesus Christ.

I chose the title "Who do you say I am" because I want people to think about who Jesus is and who He is in their life, as well as examine what true beliefs they have about Him. He asked that same question of Peter and Peter was the first Human being to utter the words "You are the Messiah the Son of God" and mean it and Jesus said "you are the corner stone and from here I will build my church".

So who is Jesus and where did His story begin in our lives? Jesus is the Son of God; John 3:16 for God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son.  Luke 2:10-12; but the Angel reassured them "Don't be afraid for I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all the people. The Savior-yes the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the City of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth , lying in a manger"

That is the day that offered hope unlike the world has ever known before. Jesus left His rightful place in Heaven to take on the role of a servant to be with His people and teach us what we needed to know to receive a place with Him through all of eternity. Simply we must believe in Him and who He truly is (the son of God), that He paid the ultimate price for our sins which was a blood sacrifice on the Cross, and that we must honor that sacrifice and treat it as Holy by repenting of our sins (which means to turn away from them and not repeat the same offenses over and over again)-that requires us to die to ourselves and old ways of living and accept Christ into our heart to lead and guide our decisions. Some may read this and think "He sounds like a thumper what does he know?" I know I am a sinner, I know God warned me of my destination when I die and I know He gave me another chance. Perfection is so far removed from me that I couldn't see it with a satellite if I tried. That is who I am and this is what the Bible tells you and me about what I just said:

Mark 8:34-38; Then , calling to the crowd to join His disciples, He said,"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your own soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in the Glory of His Father with the Holy Angels"

Take heart though, we will all fall short of being worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, it is just a given that throughout any given day we will sin. I sin everyday in my interactions at work, the way I treat my wife, thoughts I will have in my head, judgements or criticisms I will make... the list can go on and on, but the difference is I must realize they are sin, ask for forgiveness through repentance and try not to repeat those by trying to try everyday. I pray throughout the day; prayers which are short and sweet nothing major, I admit fault to God when I do sin and apologize to Him for offending Him and I just try even harder for that day not to repeat that sin. God offers forgiveness through His Son Jesus if we ask and try to improve through a daily conscious effort to portray and practice Christ like behavior. That doesn't mean perfect, only Jesus is and will ever achieve perfection.

It is not rocket science. It is an acceptance of Christ into our heart and minds. By following Him and dying to our old ways (or ourselves and the world) and being reborn to a new Christ like life through belief and repentance we will have everlasting life through His sacrifice and belief in that sacrifice. Therefore, DO NOT THINK YOU ARE UNWORTHY OF BEING ACCEPTED BACK AND LOVED BY GOD BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE DONE, IT HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID FOR AND PUNISHED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST WHO WILLINGLY PUT HIMSELF ON THE CROSS AND DIED A HORRIBLE DEATH, WAS BURIED AND ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD ON THE THIRD DAY AND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER TO ACT AS OUR ADVOCATE ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT BECAUSE HE LOVED US AND KNEW US BEFORE WE WERE EVEN BORN!  That is the GOOD NEWS that is what the Birth and the Crucifixion did for us. That moment in time 2011 years ago is the most important birth the world has ever known. It was the birth that split BC and AD and gave us a choice between Heaven and Hell because of what He did and what He is asking us to do which is believe, repent and live well, and love each other.

The birth of Jesus really happened, He really lived, and He really loves you.

Who do you say He is and what does that mean to you?
Jason.