Image source: WorldChallenge
Rupert Murdoch is one of the richest and most powerful person in the world; he owns many newspapers and TV stations; powerful politicians including presidents and prime ministers are careful not to offend Rupert Murdoch, because his newspapers and TV stations can influence voters during elections. However, Mr. Murdoch will join his ancestors in the grave someday and his empire will pass on to the next generation. When we exit this world and meet the creator, we will be judged not on our wealth, power, and influence, but by our faith!
Our faith reveals the thing or the person we trust in the most to guide our lives. I could put my faith in me, believing that all I will achieve in life depends on me alone, how hard I work, and the sacrifices I make to achieve my goals. I could put my faith in another person – parents, brother/sister, aunts/uncles, husband/wife, friends, boss/mentor, political leader – trusting that my following and loyalty to this person will bring me rewards of money, fame, and power. At some point, this person will join their ancestors, and I will also join my ancestors, and appear before the creator.
John 3:16-18 (The Message Bible) says: “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son… God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came… to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence… Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.”
The Bible teaches that the judgement is about our relationship with Jesus. This is the most important criteria at the judgement. John 3:19-21 (The Message Bible) says: “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness… they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil… hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”
Jesus is light – loving and good and joyful and peaceful and compassionate and merciful. A relationship with Jesus motivate us to be lights in the world. True faith in Jesus built on his Biblical teachings, leads us into the light and transforms us to be lights. The first call of God to us today is not about our wealth, how famous we are, or how powerful we are – it is a call on us to be lights in the world just like Jesus. This is the Christmas season and Jesus is the reason for the season – get to know him, step into his light, so you too can be a light to the world!
May God bless you richly as you celebrate Jesus this Christmas, Amen!
Jesus, our redeemer, healing the world... 