Thieves must not be permitted to escape the consequences of their deeds… . To the violent, violence is the only argument they understand. Justice they understand, but only when it is administered from strength.”
–Louis L’Amour (Killoe)
“The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.”
–Proverbs 21:7 (NLT)
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“God’s terrors are mercies to the repentant; God’s mercies are terrors to the impenitent.”
–Albert Barnes
This is the time of year when everyone has the opportunity to do good and to be good. This is the time of “good cheer” and merriment. Man can do good to others with just a smile, a nod of the head, or the words of “Merry Christmas.” Even with the sin nature, most people really want to do good, but cannot find their way. They may do good “things” but most of the time the motive is selfish. They will give a present with selfish motives of one sort or another.
I really like what Dallas Willard wrote, “Love does not consist of acts and projects but is a pervasive condition of vision, joy, and love in which we habitually reside.” Love is a condition; a way of life, a part of a person’s character. Doing acts and projects may come from love but in doing them they are not love. Love is not the giving of flowers or even chocolate. Love is the person and because of who they are they give.
Someone has said, rightly, that “God is love, but love is not God.” When you look and ponder that you can see that there is a difference. There is much more to God than love; you must take in His complete character, the natural attributes and the moral attributes.
Jesus came into this world because God loved mankind and needed to provide the perfect sacrifice for sins. While Jesus walked this earth He dealt with the problem of evil and good. He had to deal with the issues of the day. He did not theorize about life and the way people lived, but “plunged immediately into the guts of human existence.” (Willard)
This Christmas take the opportunity to do good unto all men. Do not make it a show, just do it. Then realize that this should be the way of life for the Christian every day, not just Christmas.
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Christmas Thought:
“It is the one season of the year when we can lay aside all gnawing worry, indulge in sentiment without censure, assume the carefree faith of childhood, and just plain ‘have fun.’ Whether they call it Yuletide, Noel, Weinachten, or Christmas, people around the earth thirst for its refreshment as the desert traveller for the oasis.”
–D.D. Monroe
Don’t let Christmas go by without thinking about the purpose of the day! The Scripture declares, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NKJV) However, this an extra special day the Lord has made. It was a day He made for Himself as well as mankind. This is the day that the works of salvation combine with the birth of the Savior.