Monday, December 20, 2010

"A Son Is Given"

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed" (Luke 2:1).


"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given" (Isaiah 9:6).


At the same time Caesar Augustus taxed the citizens of the Roman Empire, God gave to humanity the freest gift ever given. Thankfully, the former "came to pass" as the power of ancient Rome ultimately perished. The latter continues to be "given" unto all who will receive the Lord Jesus Christ, and to all who walk in the ongoing presence and power of His dynamic working on our behalf. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

It is vital that we understand continuing reception as the basis of continuing faithfulness. The born again believer is no less dependent on the Lord Jesus for the living of the Christian life as he was for the initial experience of salvation. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Colossians 2:6). The Apostle Paul's command reveals God's perpetual giving of Christ to the Christian regarding our moment by moment need of life, supply, enabling, and His working in us "both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Our calling is to recognize and affirm our Lord's abundant provision of such grace, and also our abundant need for it. "Without Me, ye can do nothing... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13). From "nothing" without Him to "all things" through Him - clearly Christ is the source and dynamic of life both birthed and lived, as the hymnwriter's beautiful description proclaims, "Out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again."


Our great need is to recognize our great need as opportunity for to receive God's abundantly greater supply. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20). The Gift that keeps on giving must be known as the Gift we keep on receiving. How is the Lord Jesus the supply for the issues we presently face? We may not know, but He is in fact the supply. More importantly, God does know and He is presently working to apply the power of His Son's presence in precise accordance with His sons and daughters' need. Our calling is to believe and to confess that the Lord Jesus is God's ongoing provision. Indeed, the Son who was "given" did not "come to pass." He came to remain, and He is presently "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Our confidence in God's promise determines our experience of such grace as we realize and rejoice in His ongoing provision of Christ...


"But my God shall supply all your need according to riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:19)

2 comments:

SandraJohnson said...

Hi Frances, my name is Sandra. I read several blogs on religion and prayer and I've i feel like I've ended up here once before. I ran across this prayer exchange website and I haven't had the chance to ask my Church what their stance is on it.

I'm a bit confused, I think that there are some benefits to a site like this but some Christians might find it questionable.

The website is http://www.prayermarket.com/.

If you're looking for a topic to blog about, I would be curious to hear your thoughts and know what your stance is on this type of prayer service.

I have your blog in my feed reader so i'll check back, God bless
Sandra J.

Frances Davis said...

Sandra,
Thanks for the comment. Sorry to take so long getting back. Glen & I have both had the flu.

Glen writes the Specials of the Day and most of the topics on the Orange Moon Cafe, so I chose to address your question on my blog, The Powder Room. It was a good question and you'll find my thoughts at http://thecafepowderroom.blogspot.com