Bible Verse of the Day Thursday December 21st 2023

Romans 5:8-10 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him. For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life (Romans 6:23).

 The Christmas season is the time of year when we reflect on what God has given us. We live in a fallen world, and bad things do happen. They happen because of others' sins, our sins, and the fallen nature of the world around us. If that were all we had to grasp on to, there would be no reason for joy, no reason for celebrations during this special time of the year. However, because of what Jesus has done for us, we have a reason for joy. We have a reason for celebration because, through Christ, He defeated sin and death and claimed the victory over sin, Satan and death, on our behalf.

God through Christ has given us the greatest gift, a gift of immeasurable value; that gift is eternal life for those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The gift of Jesus not only stores up treasures for us in eternity; it rewards us now with a change in us that goes beyond human understanding. When we accept Jesus as our Lord, the Holy Spirit begins a work in our hearts and lives. A work that restores what a fallen world and sin has taken from us, a work that brings joy, peace, understanding, and real hope even in the face of adversity.

There are many people, even some Christians, that believe one can lose their salvation. Christ Jesus died for all people, even His enemies, which we were before our salvation. Justification goes eons farther than just a pardon for our sin; it positions us in the same status in God’s eyes as Christ Jesus. Since God sees Jesus in us, we are always saved through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, once we have sincerely and faithfully surrendered our lives to God.

Once we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, He will be with us for all time and eternity (Hebrews 7:25). Our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus persistently and continuously mediates for our sanctification before the Father. Consequently, Jesus' mediation will carry all saved followers and believers to our eventual and supreme sanctification, our glorification.