God’s Giving is Why We’re Living

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, December 19, 2014 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

You might not think of this as a Christmas verse, but it is. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” You, probably, learned that verse as a child, and you know it’s in John 3:16 of the Bible. The next verse, John 3:17, explains that God sent His son into the world that the world through Him might be saved. That’s WHY God gave His only begotten Son.

After a Bible study years ago, I was asked, “Saved from what?” I simply said, “Saved from the penalty of sin, saved from hell.” That was a good question and, since then, I’ve learned that many people don’t know they’re sinners and need a savior.

But this one thing we know: There’s a reason this season is called “Christmas.” Webster’s Dictionary defines Christmas as “a holiday on December 25th celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.” Then, Webster defines the word “Christ” as “the anointed, the Messiah whose appearance is prophesied in the Old Testament, [He’s] Jesus of Nazareth, regarded by Christians as [fulfilling] the Messianic prophecy, originally, (Jesus the Christ) was a title. Later [it was] used as part of the name Jesus Christ.”

Now, think with me for a minute. Since Webster’s 1669-page secular dictionary defines Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, what’s wrong with saying, “Merry Christmas,” to honor His birth? We honor former U.S. Presidents on “President’s Day,” because that’s their title. So, it’s only reasonable to honor Jesus by addressing Him at Christmas by His title, Christ, the anointed Messiah prophesied in the Bible and born into this world to save the same human beings He created.

So, I’ve decided the reason some people try to ignore Him or replace Him, even on His birthday, is the same reason they rejected Him when He lived on this earth. They envy Him because He, as God the Son, is the only Way to get to God the Father.

Of all the religious figures in the world today, Jesus Christ is the only one that was dead and lives again. God’s giving is the reason for the Season, and God’s giving is the reason we’re living! Merry Christmas! For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.