December 1, 2021 -- I John 2:15-17 -- Christmas Victory

People loved by the Father, by the power of the Spirit: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

I John 2:15-17 ESV

One of the Bible Study groups I lead has been going through the basics of the Christian faith. We are using a booklet called: “Ultimate Questions” by John Blanchard. Yesterday our group was talking about sin. On the one hand, those who are in Christ are a new creation, on the other hand, we still struggle against sin. In his chapter “Is sin serious” Blanchard writes: “This does not mean that you are as bad as you can possibly be, nor that you are constantly committing every sin. Nor does it mean that you cannot tell right from wrong, or do things that are pleasant and helpful. But it does mean sin has invaded every part of your nature and personality…” (page 16).

Knowing how insidious sin is, the Christian heeds the warning of John given in today’s text. Believers discern, by the powerful presence of the Spirit, what is right and what is wrong and in the strength of the Spirit live for Jesus Christ, even as the world is passing away all around us. The celebration of Christmas fills us with confident hope that the day is near, when every eye shall see Him, Jesus.

Beloved, this is a great reminder as the calendar switches over from November to December and we think of Jesus’ birth. The focus is not just on the fact that Jesus came as a babe in a manger, the focus is centred on the fact that Jesus will return! Sin will be thrown down forever, the defeat of the devil and all his demonic hosts will be final. And those who name the Name of Jesus will know the completion of their salvation—sin will be no more. This is the rescue we celebrate at Christmas. This is the Spirit of Christmas to see Him once a baby and now expect His return as the King Who has conquered and is about to launch the final victory. Listen especially closely to the third stanza of Joy to the World—no more let sin and sorrow grow—Jesus’ victory is being proclaimed.

O Son of God and Son of Man,

Thou wast incarnate, didst suffer, rise, ascend or my sake;
Thy departure was not a token of
Separation but a pledge of return;
Thy Word, promises, sacraments, show thy death until thou come again.
That day is no horror to me,
   for thy death has redeemed me,
   thy Spirit fills me,   
   thy love animates me,
   thy Word governs me.
I have trusted thee and thou hast not betrayed my trust;
  waited for thee, and not waited in vain.
Thou wilt come to raise my body from the dust,
   and re-unite it to my soul,
   by a wonderful work of infinite power and love,
   greater than that which bounds the oceans’ waters,
   ebbs and flows the tides,
   keeps the stars in their courses,
   and gives life to all creatures.
This corruptible shall put on incorruption,
  this mortal, immortality,
   this natural body, a spiritual body,
   this dishonoured body, a glorious body,
   this weak body, a body of power.
I triumph now in thy promises as I shall do in their performance,
   for the head cannot live if the members are dead;
Beyond the grave is resurrection, judgment,
   acquittal, dominion.
Every event and circumstance of my life will be dealt with –
   the sins of my youth,
   my secret sins,
   the sins of abusing thee, of disobeying thy Word,
   the sins of neglecting ministers’ admonitions,
   the sins of violating my conscience –
      all will be judged;
And after judgment, peace and rest, life and service,
   employment and enjoyment, for thine elect.
O God, keep me in this faith,
    and ever looking for Christ’s return.
"The Second Coming" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. ed: Arthur Bennett; Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020, page 48

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