Christmas Is Reconciliation

Despite the controversy over what time exactly the Messiah was born, year on year we kept celebrating Christmas. Everybody whether Christians or not celebrate this festival somehow. But what is more a concern is the fact that we seem to forget the intended purpose for such a time as this. What is the significance of Christmas to you?

Before Jesus Christ’ coming, man turned away from God by disobeying Him. The disobedience of man brought him to fall short of the grace of God. Disobedience brought enmity between man and God, his creator.

Yet in loving-kindness, God took it upon himself to reconcile us onto himself. He came to die for us; or say he sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our redemption.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life (John 3:16).

But God has shown us how much he loves us---it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8)

While we were yet sinners and enemies to God, He showed His love to us. Christmas therefore, from the perspective of God, is to LOVE one’s enemies. Christmas to God means reconciling your enemies. Christmas is love demonstrated from a pure heart, and a clear conscience through sacrificing what is most dear to you – in order to impart something positive to your enemy’s life. (1Timothy 1:5) This is Christmas: personally paying the price to reconciling with your enemies to yourself.

In Matthew 5:43-45 our LORD Christ Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your friends, hate your enemies.' But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven.” This scripture clearly teaches us what our responsibilities to all people, even our enemies are. Again, the LORD Jesus Christ stated that the greatest commandment is to love. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Apostle Paul wrote in the book of Romans 13:8 – Be under obligation to no one---the only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law. The King James Version Bible uses the word ‘owe’ instead of ‘obligation.’ This means we are indebted to anyone we do not love.

What is our new commandment under the New Testament? There is one thing expected of every one of us until the second coming of Christ Jesus the LORD; and that is to obey this new commandment which Christ gave by saying: And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34) and there is a mystery here I must share with you. The LORD said we should love one another as He has loved us. How did he love us? Jesus loved us while we were yet sinner (enemies) and he came to dies to reconcile us onto God.

We are ministers of reconciliation:
All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21 _ The Message Bible)

True Christmas is not only about remembering the birth of Christ or celebrating with our friends and families whom we love. It is going the extra mile to personally sacrifice in order to make reconciliation with your enemies. If there is one thing God did at Christmas, it is reconciliation.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you; leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)

Season’s greetings to all!
Merry Christmas!
Written by: Rich Akpalu
(Author of UNFORGIVABLE SIN _ Selling on Amazon)
Facebook: Rich Akpalu
Email: [email protected]