And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience – among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. - Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV
How sinfully corrupt is mankind?
Was it humanity at its worst that crucified the Son of God? No, it was humanity at its best. Christ Jesus’ Passion…His death on the cross was the result of the deliberate plans conceived by the highly respected religious leaders of the day who justified their actions by the highest of standards; God’s Word and morality. It was man in his righteousness that put to death the Son of God.
How great is Christ’s love for His people?
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. – Romans 5:7-11 ESV
As the Christmas season begins, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – 1 Timothy 1:15
By Jeff Parks
