Devotion - December 23, 2014 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:25-27 What are You Going to Celebrate MOST this Christmas? We’re almost there. All the planning and preparations of the past month will culminate over the next two days of our Christmas celebration. What are you going to celebrate most? In the final verses of the book of Romans the apostle Paul gives us three suggestions. He writes, “Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ.” The gospel is the good news about Jesus being our Savior from the punishment of hell. Celebrate that through the gospel people like you are established, mentally settled, firmly rooted in the eternal salvation that Jesus provides. Unbelievers have no certainty about God or his Word or the way of salvation. But Christians are certain about God, certain about his Word, certain about how they are saved, certain about his love and care, and certain about spending eternity in heaven. Next the apostle says, “According to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him.” Celebrate that the gospel has been fully revealed. Jesus’ birth was the event which all history was working up to and the event from which all subsequent history flows. The coming of Jesus Christ is the central fact of history, so that we date time in terms of before and after Christs birth. And now we know clearly how God saves people from the punishment of hell—through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The door of heaven now stands open for those who believe that Jesus is their Savior. Finally Paul proclaims, “To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Celebrate that your eternal salvation doesn’t depend on your wisdom, but God’s wisdom. Celebrate that God’s wisdom included giving the world a Savior named Jesus. Celebrate that God’s wisdom included making you a part of his family through the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal - 46): Oh, draw us wholly to you, Lord, and to us all your grace accord; true faith and love to us impart that we may hold you in our heart. Amen. Todays Devotion is brought to you by WELS and WhatAboutJesus
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 13:34:51 +0000
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