God With Us

Matthew 1:23, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us."

Have you taken the time in this Christmas season to consider the immensity of this statement? Us. Fallen man. Born into sin. Separated from God by it. Yet God; Jesus; Savior; willfully and joyfully chose to take on the form of us. To leave the glories and riches of heaven, and dwell in a lost world that would hate Him and kill Him. To sacrifice Himself so that through Him we could be restored to a right relationship with God.

Supernaturally conceived and born of a virgin, God comes to us in the flesh, not as a conqueror, not as a king, but as a baby just as you and I came into this world. Nursed and nurtured by a mother, just as us; under the authority of parents, just as us; earning His living through a trade, in Jesus's case, carpentry, just as us. Creator and sustainer of the universe, dwelling with us, as one of us.

He did not demand worship, as other "gods" do, He asked us to worship the Father. He did not do His own will, though He could have, He submitted to the will of the Father. He lived sinless in a sin filled world; fulfilled the law so that we should not be judged by it; offered Himself as a "ransom for many," for "whosoever shall believe."

"God with us," brought about God in us, in the person of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, who testifies only of Him; teaches us of His word and ways; convicts us of our sin so that we may be granted repentance; counsels us and comforts us in times of need and trial; empowers us to be His witness; gives us words when we lack them; groans on our behalf when we pray. "God with us" brings us a new birth as a "new creation" through faith in Him.

"God with us." God in us. God for us. "For if God is for us, who can be against us?" For us as our intercessor, to speak on our behalf to the Father; for us as our advocate, to defend us from the accusations of the enemy; for us as our "rock" and our "shield," our "buckler" and "fortress." Never to leave us or forsake us.

Immanuel! Wonderful! Counselor! Mighty God! "Of His government and peace there will be no end." O' what a blessing! O' what a miracle! O' what love! O' what grace and mercy! Do you recognize the enormity of this? Do you know this Jesus we celebrate? Do you know that Christ is Christmas?

If you do not, ask yourself this. Are you a sinner? Have you ever stolen? Have you ever lied? Blasphemed God? If so, you are a sinner in need of forgiveness. Forgiveness that only comes through faith in Him. Through His blood, shed on the cross. It is a faith that resides in the heart, not just the head. A faith that even though we cannot see, we believe. Jesus tells us that "no man comes to the Father except through Him." Do you know Him as Savior of your soul? Lord of your life? If you do not know Him in this way; admit you are a sinner to Him, and confess your sins; ask Jesus to save you; repent, turn from your sins as you turn to Him; learn and practice His word; live in obedience to the only One who can save. Do you know Jesus this way? You can, through a belief that results in you following Him. Do so now! Tomorrow is not guaranteed.