Christmas brings us the gift of eternal life. Jesus was born in a stable, laid in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloth, but the SPIRIT of his family was rich. Therefore, your family does not have to have material wealth, or live in the high-rent-district, wear expensive clothing, in order to be rich in SPIRIT. Reading and understanding the Word of God and being sanctified in God’s truth is truly what life is all about. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17). There is a moral cost associated with having a spiritual Christian home. “And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31). Twenty-first century America seems to have forgotten the spiritual meaning of this scripture: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24: 15). This is why Jesus always urged the spiritual wisdom of anticipating the spiritual cost. Pay as you enter, or pay as you leave, fly now and pay later; but, pay you must. It cost to have a Christian home life.
America has a dysfunctional parenting/family problem. Children are raising parents, rather than parents raising children. Too many parents are seeking to be their children’s best friend; instead of their parents. The end results are utter SOCIETAL-CONFUSION. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). All of us must learn how to be earthly dwellers with heavenly minds.
Here’s where the rubber meets the road spiritually in most families: “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God.” (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
Here’s how Christian churches can help families and communities spiritually and socio-economically. “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” (Ephesians 3:14-15). This scripture clearly defines the role of the church: “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth} even in him.” (Ephesians 1: 10). Make no mistake about when Jesus asked the question of his disciples “But whom say ye that I am?”, and Peter answered the question spiritually-emphatically: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16). We need to abandon denominationalism and establish one name for all Christian churches, use one Bible, and worship Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior in one spirit. Based upon scripture every church should be named: The Rock of Peter: Christ Church. Peter had a spiritual hook-up, and all Christians need to hook-up with Jesus and Peter, and all Christians shall become one. Christian friends in this Holy Season here it is, your Christmas card: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Colossians 1: 13). “And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things he might have preeminence.” (Colossians 1: 18).
America God’s righteousness is knocking at your door. Our major institutions: Family, church, educational institutions, and governmental leadership institutions are in disastrous peril. Our schools are not teaching our children how to read on any level. The ability of an individual to read, and comprehend is the key to an enlightened spiritual understanding of the Bible. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3). All Americans, both young and old, should understand that: “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” (Proverbs 30: 5).
Christmas is simply this awesome spiritual reality: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16). America, Christmas represents a new beginning that presents an opportunity for all individuals to get right with God, and above all, to love and serve each other in the mighty name of Jesus. And, to God be the glory, honor, and power. Merry Christmas! And, good will towards all men, as we pray for world peace.