Friday, December 8, 2006
PRAISE GOD FOR TWO MIRACLES
Why did the Spirit overshadow Mary with His power and cause a one-of-a-kind human Child to begin forming in her womb? Every person begotten in a natural way is born with a sinful flesh. If Jesus had an earthly father, then what Scripture says about all of us would have been true of Him too: "I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5). However, because Jesus wasn't begotten in a natural way, hereditary sin wasn't transmitted to Him. That is why He could be born holy, live a sinless life, and finally offer His life of holiness on the cross as the all-sufficient sacrifice for the world's sin.
Let us cling to the teaching of the virgin birth with all our might and never let it go! If it is "myth", we've got no reason for Christmas joy. We might as well refrain from "decking the halls." Our mission as a church -- which is to share the glad tidings of great joy of a Savior born for us -- would be sham. The religion of Christianity would collapse if the virgin birth didn't happen. You might as well put your trust in Frosty the Snow Man.
But praise God it happened exactly as the Bible records. What's true of all other babies wasn't true of Jesus. He had no human father. So what Scripture testifies about Him elsewhere is true: "He committed no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth" (1 Peter 2:22). "Such a High Priest meets our need -- one who is holy, blameless, pure, separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26-27). "You know it wasn't with perishable things like silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:18-20).
Do you believe this? If you can answer "yes," blessed are you! Then praise God for another miracle. He sent His Spirit into your heart through the Word to lead you to a knowledge of the Truth and make you wise for salvation in Jesus!
