December 2021 THE CROSS – Concerned Christians

THE CROSSNewsletterConcerned ChristiansDecember 2021

TWO VIEWS OF CHRISTMAS
The year 2021 has gone by quickly. Here we are in December when we hear the account of our Savior’s birth. The details of this historic event have been saved for us by Luke, the writer of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.The second record of Jesus’ birth is provided for us by the Apostle John, John 1:1-18. John’s account is not about historical settings and details. His account is God’s explanation, in written form, of His personal relationship with His Creation. It is also His testament to the heavenly structure of The Father and The Son and how they interact with The Creation. This is God’s theology!This Scripture is detailed in verbiage that is difficult for Christian cults. Two modern influential cults have tried to rearrange God and His Son. One cult has attempted to deny the Son and his proper relationship, by rewriting this chapter with inaccurate approach to Greek ‘translation’. The other cult just ignores John 1:1-18, even though they keep it within their body of four sacred writings.So, let’s take time to examine the preciseness of God’s Word.John 1:1-5: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.Luke’s Christmas account deals with the earthly surroundings of Jesus’ birth. John, on the other hand, takes us back to the creation of the world. He identifies God being the Creator along with an associate called the Word. He further identifies the Word as separate yet precisely the same. Mankind has difficulty assessing this concept. Then the separation of the Word is emphasized by describing them as Co-Creators. Genesis 1:26 also indicates two were involved during the Creation. John follows this with information about the totality of the Creation. ALL (the Universe) things were made by them. This would include matter, life, light, and energy. The last sentence expresses the existence of ‘good’ and ‘evil’. God created ‘Good’, but ‘Evil’ exists as darkness or lack of comprehension of goodness. These five verses leave no room for a cult that tries to minimize Jesus and his relationship with the Father. It also does not leave room for cults who teach that that man might ascend to godliness. This is a totally foreign concept to biblical Scripture. God used the apostle John to nullify Satan’s attempts to mislead mankind. Humanity is the epitome of God’s Creation to whom He has extended eternal life.At this point God provides a harbinger, an announcer who will speak out and introduce Jesus, His Son, to the world. John 1:6-8, 15-16 describes John the Baptist and his purpose. Luke describes the unusual earthly circumstances about his birth in Luke 1:5-80. The birth of John the Baptist and Jesus are closely tied together. Both births are deliberately planned by God. One is miraculous. The other is semi-miraculous in the pattern of Abraham and Sarah.Now, let’s further consider God’s message in John.John 1:9-13 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.God further explains the world was not prepared to meet Him. The Creator was not recognized by the Creation. Yet there will be some who will recognize and acknowledge Him. Those who do so will become His children.So, how does this come about?John 1:14: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.MERRY CHRISTMAS – JESUS IS BORN!The Word was with God in the beginning. And we are told that the Word is God. The Word came to live with us. God moved in with us so that we might have life forever. In John 1:15-18 God notifies the world of change. The Covenant of Law came through Moses. The Word came to earth bringing a new covenant, the Covenant of Love. This covenant provides salvation for all who believe and embrace God and His Son.GOD LOVES US AND SO HE SENT HIS SON. WE CELEBRATE BECAUSE HE LOVES US.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU FROM CONCERNED CHRISTIANS!

	I pray that as you read your Bible daily that you truly did find the JOY it brings and felt the STRENGTH God’s word gives. I encourage you to continue on next year. God’s word never gets old and know that you won’t ever get bored.This is also the perfect time to make the decision to begin, for the first time, or to continue daily reading.You will soon know that His word will spring to mind at the most opportune times. You will also begin to recognize when it is being used out of context or incorrectly. God Bless you on your journey and have a Blessed Holiday Season! Paulette

	Jason BornAgain with witness tips~ Sitting with a group of LDS recently, and I said, ” I noticed how many members do not have any assurance of their being forgiven by Jesus.” A member who killed her husband was very open to Bible assurance that King David after committing adultery and murder, was in fact forgiven by God (Psalm 51). Forgiveness for Mormons must be “earned”. In their unbalanced thinking, repentance purchases forgiveness, instead of Grace freely providing forgiveness. Be prepared to make very clear the difference between ‘works BASED faith’, and ‘GRACE BASED faith.’ It is the difference between life & death. See you next time.

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I Thessalonians 1:2

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