But now that you have been set free from sin and
have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the
result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:22-23
Christmas Day is passed. Are you tired? The
commercialization of this holiday can have that effect on us. By the time
December 26th arrives, we may be all Christmas-ed out.
Much like a commercialized Christmas, enslavement
to sin gets old really fast. That tempting master never satisfies. He only
takes. And in return for a lifetime of service, the pension is death.
But can the real Christmas celebration ever grow
old? Christmas reveals God’s base of operations in his campaign against sin and
death. It was a campaign into which he sent his Son to fight victoriously from
the cradle to the cross. As a result, you are no longer a slave to sin. Sin may
badger you. Sin may threaten you. However, when sin comes knocking, you don’t
have to answer. When sin makes demands, don’t listen. Sin has no authority over
your life.
Through faith in Jesus, you have a new,
life-giving master. He has made you into a new creation. He gives you the
freedom to be who you were created to be. He created you to be healthy in
holiness, not sick in sin.
Many may be acting as if Christmas is over.
Traditionally, however, today is only the second day of Christmas. The season
has just begun, and the celebrating really lasts all year round.
In some countries the day after Christmas is known
as Boxing Day. Originally, Boxing Day was a day when servants would receive
gifts from their masters. What a great reminder for us as we receive God’s gift
again this Christmas!
The gift which we receive from God, wrapped in
cloths and lying in a manger, is a gift that always amazes. For when we were at
our worst, God gave us his best. And no matter how long we’ve had it, God’s
gift of a Savior, Jesus Christ, never gets old. For his salvation outweighs our
sin; his grace covers our guilt; his rescue ends our rebellion and gives us
life.
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for giving me the gift of life
for free in exchange for the death I deserved eternally. Amen.
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