Faith in Christ

Joyful greetings to each of you! We trust this note finds you basking in the joy and the peace of this Christmas season. Of course, we all know that, no matter the season, the external pressures of living in this world are increasing. As we look back on the passing of another year we see political upheaval, moral decay, increasing violence in our culture, natural disasters, confusion in our courts, deficiencies of common sense in the decisions of our law-makers, and on-and-on. The Bible speaks about our Master shaking everything that can be shaken (see Heb.12:25-27). Jesus told us that we will have tribulations in this world. But, He also said, “Be of good cheer! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:13) There’s an interesting scripture that magnifies this statement of our Lord:

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1John 5:4 ESV)

I can trace most (if not all) of my circumstantial stresses and relational conflicts to an issue of faith in Jesus Christ. Often, I have substituted “faith in Him” with presumptuous confidence in my own natural strength. And, how easy it is to be deceived into thinking that “success” in God’s eyes is the same as “success” in the eyes of the world! Let us embrace the challenges of the coming year with all our hopes and dreams centered on faith in the person and the purposes and the leading of Jesus Christ. As we do so, I dare say, we will come to the other side of this upcoming year with a greater love for, and a deeper faith in, our Savior, the Son of God! Hallelujah!!!