Christmas Message 2013

Weekly Message

Tom Seymour

December 22, 2013

Advent – Colors: Purple or blue

Matthew 5: 44 – “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

God is a gentleman. He does not force himself upon anyone, but instead gives a gentle knock on the door. We can choose to open that door or not. It’s up to us.

Likewise, we, as Christians, must not try and intimidate unbelievers. God sends his offer of love and reconciliation through faith in Jesus Christ to everyone. We are to be God’s representatives, so to speak, and be there for people when needed. We are to offer support and spiritual uplifting. And we need to have a workable knowledge of scripture so that we can speak God’s word rightly, from a position of conviction based upon knowledge.

But what happens when we face those who not only don’t want to hear God’s message, but spend their energy in trying to discredit the Lord. We see this more and more now, especially at Christmas time.

This age of political correctness has many Christians afraid to speak the truth or even mention God or Jesus for fear of offending someone.

So here’s the problem. We know that we are commissioned by Christ to spread the gospel. But what do we do, how do we act, toward those who disparage the gospel? Some of us take a strident attitude, going out of their way to emphasize the word “Christ” in Christmas when greeting others. What can that do but inflame tempers of those who reject Christ? Sure, such actions serve the purpose of identifying us as believers. Other believers may nod in affirmation, but we are not directing our energies at believers.

Indeed, Christian writers and even radio talk show hosts make it a point to loudly proclaim, “Merry Christmas. Here again, instead of drawing the unsaved to the Lord, it only pushes them further away.

On the other hand, we must not deny our faith, because Jesus said that if we deny him on earth, he will deny us before his father in heaven. What do we do, then?

Well, as always, we must let our actions and our lives be a light for the world. People need to see God working in us. We need to be as Christ-like as we possibly can.

Next, it’s a mistake to center our energy on retaliating against those who make anti-Christian political statements. Remember, they have as much right, under the laws of our nation, to proclaim their beliefs as we do to proclaim ours. It amounts to nothing more than head-butting when we become filled with righteous anger and confront these people. Bear in mind Jesus’ admonition to turn the other cheek.

We do have ways to counter these attacks and we have already discussed one, that of letting our Christianity show through our actions. The other, and a powerful one it is, is prayer. We need to pray for the people who remove nativity scenes from town centers, who push for legislation to ban crosses and who want to erect plaques commemorating the devil in public places.

We can’t change anyone’s mind with words, especially if those words are spoken in a holier-than-thou manner. We must remember that God deals with everyone and even if people don’t believe in God, God takes notice of them.

So put on a cheerful face this Christmas season. Don’t become embroiled in useless confrontation. Instead, spread the simple message of the gospel in a soft, gentle voice. And if someone doesn’t want to hear it, don’t persist.

And remember, here in America, nothing at all happens to those who proclaim their Christian beliefs. In other countries, people get thrown in prison or even executed, murdered, for their belief in Christ.

This Christmas, try and look at the good things that people do and leave the bad things for God to deal with. He is, after all, the final arbiter.

Merry Christmas to all and my best wishes for a happy, prosperous and spirit-filled New Year.