Asides

December 24
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Uncategorized Aside

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)

One of my favorite definitions of a cynic was offered by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), who said: “These days man knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing.”

On this eve of our celebration of the birth of Jesus, some people see only a historical fact; when it was an “all in” commitment by God for the rescue of every person He had ever created.

On such occasions as this one — whether it be Easter, or the anniversary of our own birth — are we as cognizant of the value of God’s commitment to us as we are of the apparent “cost” of holiness?

Once we begin to grasp the meaning of the words of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .”, the value of God’s gift makes any price we might pay pale in comparison.  – Luther

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December 23
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“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52, NASB)

Bethlehem, the manger, the heavenly host, the visit of the wise men, and all of the other wondrous features of our Lord’s arrival were a great beginning; but it didn’t end there.  The baby Jesus became the boy Jesus, who became the adolescent Jesus, who became the fully-grown man. 

In our lives, there are many wondrous beginnings: The birth of a child; a wedding; a new lease on life after a serious illness; a new day. It is only the first step. Advancing through each step that follows is as expected as night following day. 

We grow in stature because we take nourishment over time.  We grow in wisdom by the same principle, but instead of food, it is obedience to the word of God that increases wisdom and divine favor.  – Luther

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December 21
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“For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2:16, NIV)

There you have it in a nutshell! The world’s attraction is what feels good (lust of the flesh), what looks good (lust of the eyes), and what lives large (the pride of life) — all ahead of its time.

This is not to say that God doesn’t want His children to feel good, look good, and enjoy all of the joys of this life: He does, more than we usually realize. However, His gifts arrive only when they will give us pleasure; not cause us pain.

To lust is to want it all now; and the intoxication of pride lasts only for a short while. Viewed from this perspective, is it easy to see the difference between the offerings of the world, and the gifts of our heavenly Father?  – Luther

REMINDER: Daily Encouragement will be on break on Sunday.  Have a great day in worship as the Advent season draws to its glorious conclusion. Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

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