In Our Hearts

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

I'm thankful that despite this nation's desire to not offend at Christmastime, we need not be without Christ. He is in our hearts and, thankfully, He cannot be removed. Although physical reminders might be condemned and stripped from public view, He still exists. Nothing will take Jesus from me or from those who join in relationship with Him. 

1 Corinthians 6:17 - But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. We who are in relationship with Christ can claim this. When we have accepted Him as Lord and Savior of our lives we are joined to the Lord spiritually. There is unity in the Spirit. When we know Jesus, we know God the Father. We come into a knowledge of the truth. We come into fellowship with other believers, whether we've met them or not. We are called children of God and partake in the righteousness that only Jesus can provide when we accept Him, believe on him and trust Him in faith. Our lives become fulfilled through Christ.

If our faith is strong and we do not waiver from these truths, we can be a witness to others that they might be curious enough to want to know what we have that makes us different, that allows us to be strong and joyful in difficult times, that gives us peace. All He would desire is for all to understand this. John 17:21 - that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. Not just certain people, but all. Not one religion or denomination over another, but all. It's about individuals giving their hearts to the Lord...no matter where they are, who they are. It's coming into an understanding of who Jesus is that is important, knowing Him with every fiber of their being. When this is done, nothing can take Jesus away. He lives forever in us.

Jesus has been proclaimed for over 2,000 years. The idea of this Man has not died, nor will anything man tries to cause put an end to this Jesus. Praise God for that. There is a power and strength through and in Him that cannot be extinguished...ever. In the end ...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11). Man may try to eliminate Him, but man will fail. No one can match the power of God and that will be seen when every knee bows.

Generation after generation has received Christ. His name has been proclaimed through the ages. There will always be a remnant who will be determined to keep the knowledge of Jesus alive in a world so offended by this solitary, yet omnipresent, Man. This Man loves all people, so unlike us who find it difficult sometimes to love everyone unconditionally. Just as parents (ought) to love their children, He loves us. It's His nature and cannot be undone. He wants nothing more than for us to receive this love. 

It's offensive to me to see others offended about something that has been commonplace in this country since its founding. It doesn't make any sense at all that the name of Jesus cannot be proclaimed yet the name of any other "god" is allowed. If it's okay for one, why not the other? I take no offense to any other holiday. We all have a right to celebrate; but what's this offense to Christianity? What's all this about embracing diversity but not allowing Christianity to be embraced? Ugh.

This Christmas season know this: I will proclaim to you what I have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with me...my fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3). I know that goes for many others who know Jesus. We can never dispose of Christ. He lives forever and He's alive right now. If you know Jesus and He lives and reigns in your heart, this Christmas and all those to come can never be expunged. Share Him. Share His love. Share the incredible, vast mysteries that can be found through the knowledge of Christ. 

Ephesians 3:17-19 - ...[let] Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.