For thought and meditation

[rl69]

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.—Colossians 1:19–20 (http://harvest.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4f108f827aed8d503b5fca9fa&id=d62d04455c&e=3dd732485b)Red is the color of Christmas—not because Santa suits are red or because we wrap packages in red. Red is the color of Christmas because of the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed.

We see a battle being played out in our culture today that is actually the battle of the gods. It is the God of the Bible, the true and living God, versus all contenders. This battle goes back to the first Messianic verse in the Bible when, after Satan tempted Adam and Eve to sin, God said to him, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15 (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/x-apple-data-detectors://3)). Thus, Satan wanted to stop Christ from coming.

The cradle was pointing to the cross. The Incarnation was for the purpose of atonement. The purpose behind the birth of Jesus was the death of Jesus. This is New Testament Christianity. It's the division between light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness, good and evil, and right and wrong.

Interestingly, it's actually through conflict that we can find real peace. For example, when someone walks into a dark place and turns on a bright light, it changes the entire dynamic. Through this conflict, through this disagreement, the ultimate unity will come. Why? Because as a Christian, you make people aware of their sin—and they don't like it one bit. You don't even have to say anything, really. You're just being you as a Christian.

So don't be upset because there is a little conflict. Just hold your ground and keep praying. This division can result in people thinking about their souls, considering the claims of Christ, and then ultimately turning their lives over to the Lord.

[USMC87]

Great lesson!

[Pine Baron]

Thanks rl. The greatest conflict is within ourselves.

[Blackwater]

Thanks, RL. Those of limited views will probably say that the red of blood color is for Good Friday, but He was born to die for our sins, from the very beginning, so it's quite appropriate that red be the color of Christmas. And I really like that comment about "It's actually through conflict that we find real peace." Took me a long time to realize the meaning of that one, but it's true, whether we understand it or not. It's one of the many paradoxes of belief.

So many things WE think of as "bad," turn us more readily and decisively toward the "good." I guess it's the Lord's version of "aversion therapy?" It's just sad that some never learn that lesson, or like me once, think "good" is always getting our way. To the contrary, it's God's will, and not our own that leads to real, deep satisfaction, meaning and understanding in our lives.

We humans seem to HAVE to learn many lessons in life the hard way, and I thank God that He loves us enough to let us learn in whatever way simply WORKS for us. It's like parents, when a child needs to learn a lesson, who let the child learn the hard way. That way, they never forget it, or at the very least, will always recall it. He takes SO much better care of us than we often do for our own selves! Praise be His holy name!

[Boaz]

The blood . There is not enough talk of the blood . We are cleansed by the blood . Folks too delicate to speak of the living sacrifice of the son of GOD fail . He paid our debit , he took our failings and weakness on himself . He paid the price of our salvation through his pain and suffering because he loved us . Dang right we owe him ! He will judge , he will weigh and he earned it . He loves us ....do you love him ? We and time will tell ....his time .

[Boaz]

What do you hold in your hand ? What will you answer when the questions of judgment are asked . Yea ...I understand . He loves us but judgement will happen ...it is promised .