Light the Way

Mark 10:26-27 “And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

For as long as we can remember, people have tried to find hero’s. Exalting those with intellect, glorifying great strength, enamored with success, or praising anyone who does something that seems extraordinary. When it comes to great men and women of God, the world has turned a blind eye. They seem to have very little care for those who have founded hospitals, started colleges, ran orphanages, or performed great acts because their faith in the Lord was paramount in their lives. Today, the world has turned, everyone in history is now on trial and held to a false sense of morality.

The separation between the Kingdom of God and the people of the world grows ever greater. The amount of people who have rejected the Lord has far exceeded the amount of people who have honored Him first in their lives.

If you are one of the few who have trusted in the Lord, count yourself blessed.

Prideful Shame

The attempt to justify oneself is inherent in prideful man. Pride is at the heart of every selfish attempt to exalt man and place human interest on the throne.

The long history of prideful shame has been a mainstay of people who have regarded their interests above others….including those of God.

*What does it take to be counted among the righteous? How good do you have to be to be afforded entrance into God’s Kingdom?

The standard is very high.

You must be perfect.

The human requirement to be found justified before the Lord would be to follow the moral law in perfection throughout your life. Not one moment of weakness would be tolerated, one offense of the law will disqualify you to be found among the righteous. In essence, you would need to live as perfect as Jesus was perfect.

How many have accomplished this goal of perfection?—Zero.

Apart from Christ no one has qualified entry into God’s heavenly Kingdom. Not one man of God, neither Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob, or Enoch, Elijah, or Mary have been able to qualify themselves by the way they lived their lives—they all sinned and fell short.

No amount of good deeds is enough, no matter how many people applaud your efforts, or praise your kindness or compassion. Whether your a champion of peace or praised by others for your servitude, no act gives a person entry into the Throne of the King.

To be received by the King, you must be found Holy.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

By the requirement of the law, the Lord has invalidated every false religion’s attempt to be justified.

There is not one belief system founded by men that affords God’s grace, they all require some form of sacrifice or servitude necessary to qualify for God’s reward.

If there is even a hint of personal pride in accomplishment, it will be reduced to ashes before the fire of God’s judgement. Nothing of man will carry righteous merit, no one will stand.

The dismal remains of mankind’s accomplishments has the potential to leave it’s adherents to this philosophy in hopelessness.

But there is an answer….

Hope arises

Since all have fallen short of the glory of God, God Himself lifted mankind up

Luke 2:25-32 “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

On December 21st, 2020, a phenomenon occurred that hasn’t fully happened in 800 years…the Christmas star appeared once again. The near-aligning of Saturn and Jupiter created the amplified appearance of a great star in the sky.

Jesus, the hope for mankind who was born in Bethlehem 2000+ years ago remains the only hope for mankind today. The star of Bethlehem was the sign of the dispensation of grace——today the sign of hope is being extinguished by a world that has formed its own sense of goodness.

When Jesus returns, His glorious appearance will be the reminder that nothing has changed. The Lord still requires perfection and the only door to perfection is by His mercy and grace. The world refuses to bow in humility and repentance, but they will discover where their pride has lead them.

The Savior has Come

Not for the perfect has the conquering Savior come beckoning nor for the devout who have sought restitution from a false prophet….Jesus has coms for those willing to abandon themselves to His call.

The attempts to be justified by the law have fallen short. Jesus himself fulfilled the law and opened a path of restitution that only God could accomplish.

During this season of the Noel and Nativity, remember the hope that was born in Bethlehem for the salvation of mankind. The true meaning of life that is found only in Jesus.

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

If you can place your trust in Him, His light will also arise in your heart as it did back then. As the magi came to worship the child who was King by following the star, so can you know the glory of His grace.

John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Following takes trust. It requires faith and the courage to forsake this world and identify with the Savior.

If you want to move from darkness to light, there is only one solution.

Jesus will light your way.