Christmas Devotional

As December 25th quickly approaches, many all over the world will be celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ in the coming days. The Christmas story is one that blends well with the narrative of Paul’s letter to the Romans. For starters, it is because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that Paul is writing to the Roman churches. 

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God ​— ​which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ​— concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh and was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead. Through him we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles, including you who are also called by Jesus Christ.” — Romans 1:1-6

There is no part of Paul’s introduction to his letter that does not involve Jesus. First, it is Jesus’ gospel that Paul has been set apart for. (v. 1) It is Jesus of whom the Old Testament prophets spoke, the one that would rescue humanity from their sin. (v. 2) Jesus was a descendant of David, of flesh and blood like you and me. (v. 3) That is, Jesus is fully human, yet He remains fully intertwined with the Godhead, He is the Son of God! (v. 4) It is through Jesus that God’s elect will be saved, for it is in Him we have received grace, through saving faith in His gospel, and apostleship, which has revealed Scripture and established the church for the purpose that we might be obedient to God. (v. 5-6) 

All of this gospel theology and rich truth relies on the fact that Jesus came to us fully human.

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross”. — Philippians 2:5-8

The truth of the gospel hinges on the fact that Jesus is fully human (he was tempted to sin), yet still remained fully God (he was not born into Adam’s sin and maintained His perfection, never once committing sin). These truths are vitally important because without them, there would be no salvation for sinners like you and me! If Jesus is not fully man, not able to be tempted as you and I, how could He atone for sin? How could a non-human Jesus set an example for His elect to follow? Jesus is human, and therefore, He is able to die for us, atone for us, relate to us, intercede for us, and restore us. Inversely, if Jesus is not fully God, He is only another man. He would have no right to forgive sins, no power to overcome and defeat death, and no ability to provide an infinite, all sufficient, lasting sacrifice for the sins of God’s elect. 

“For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?”  — Hebrews 9:13-14

With the Christmas season upon us, it is more than timely for us to consider both Jesus’ humanity and divinity. The pinnacle of God’s love to His elect is that He sent His Son Jesus, fully human, born a baby of a virgin’s womb, to live a perfect life, die a sinner’s death, and conquer the grave in righteousness that all who repent of their sins and believe in Him will be saved!

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16

As Christmas approaches we would do well to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord for all those who have been saved through faith in the Gospel of Jesus! However, if we were to stop here, I have a feeling that Paul would be upset with us, because there is more to the story. A Christian’s salvation is completed by faith in Jesus, nothing can add to or take away from that. But a Christian’s sanctification, that is, how they will be made more like Christ, is a process ever ongoing in this life. Paul has spent a great deal of his time in his letter to the Roman churches describing this very thing. For those who are truly saved by faith in Christ, there should be evidence of that change. A healthy Christian should bear fruit that is righteous. 

We began this devotional with the first seven verses from Paul’s letter. Look again at verses 5-6. 

“Through him we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles, including you who are also called by Jesus Christ.” — Romans 1:5-6

What is the purpose for which God has given us grace and apostleship through Jesus? So that we will obey! Paul tells us that we represent Christ to the world when we claim we have faith in Him. So, for the sake of the glory of God, who saved us by His Son, and for those who are not yet saved who are watching what we say and what we do, live a life of righteous obedience to God. Put simply, if you claim Christ as your salvation, act like it! 

“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,…” — Ephesians 4:1

In closing, this Christmas I urge you to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Celebrate that God the Father sent His Son in human flesh to die for those who believe in Him. What a wonderful gift we have been given. Celebrate by visiting family, hosting meals, and observing timeless traditions! I also urge you, live a life in pursuit of holiness and godliness. Act like a Christian, not because it saves you, but because you are saved! May the Lord bless each one of us as we strive to be worthy of our calling. Merry Christmas to each one of you from me and my family. The Lord’s blessing be upon you!