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Pastor's Blog December 17, 2020

"The Incarnation of Jesus Christ"

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We are now in the middle of December, which means it's the perfect time to reflect on the incarnation of Jesus Christ.  Most Christians are used to thinking about baby Jesus during this time.  Some will go a step further and think about why Jesus had to be born, which inevitably leads them to reflect on the cross and Jesus' death for our sins.  Thinking about the death of Jesus at Christmas is actually quite appropriate.  After all, Jesus was born to die - and there are countless biblical passages that boldly affirm salvation is found in the cross of Christ.  But have you ever thought that Jesus' incarnate life also results in your salvation? #

In Romans 5:6-9, Paul lists four benefits we receive from Jesus' death: 1) Christ died on behalf of those who were "ungodly" - literally, "not reflecting God's character" - and while we were still sinners and far away from God (verses 6 and 8); 2) God showed his love for us in the act of Jesus dying on our behalf (verses 7-8); 3) we have now been justified by the blood of Jesus (verse 9); and 4) we will be saved from wrath through Jesus, which seems to highlight his death (verse 9).  According to Paul, Jesus' death shows us that God loves us, that he makes the first move to bring us back into relationship with himself, and that Jesus gives us justification before God in the present and rescue from wrath in the future. 

These are amazing blessings provided for us in the death of Jesus!  But what does Jesus' LIFE give us?  Romans 5:10 tells us that, having been reconciled to God by the death of Jesus, "much more shall we be saved by his life."  Is this talking about Jesus' post-crucifixion life, the life he has been living since his resurrection?  Jesus' resurrection life is in view in Romans 6, but the rest of Romans 5 is concerned with Jesus' life of obedience - the life he was born to live right up to his death on the cross, which gives us righteousness, justification, grace, and deliverance from death.  Jesus was born to save you from sin by his death.  Jesus was also born to save you from death by his life!  Jesus lived his life so that each of us will have a future, immortal life with God throughout eternity. 

Friends, I invite you to take some time to think about the other reason for Jesus' birth: to save you from a future ending by means of his life.