If our focus is indeed on Christ, Christmas can be very merry! If our focus is on the world, with its worldly thinking, we see that our world cannot help but fall apart. That sounds like doomsville! But really, the unsaved are living from their old man with its dead, human spirit and sinful nature. The only answer is LIFE. As Christians, we have LIFE in Christ but are tempted to live out of our flesh (attempting to meet our God-given needs for love, acceptance, worth and security out of our own strength and resources) instead of our spirit. Our spirit, the real us, has been brought to life in Christ by way of the cross. Even so, we are very subject to our “world” falling apart here on earth. Circumstances such as cancer, death of loved ones, rejections from relationships and abuse might all come our way. What keeps us from falling apart? One essential “life” Truth-we are in Christ. In Christ (our union with Him), the Truth is, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). What can that possibly mean when devastating news comes our way? Our security (present and eternal) cannot be in things, circumstances or relationships, but only in Christ. Of course, our hope is in Christ for eternal security, because He is Eternal Life (I John 5:20). That means that Jesus has that devastating news in the palm of His hand and He promises to use it for our good. Note, I did not say it would feel good.
In the present, daily we fight a battle that can be easily won by feelings and flesh if we do not focus on the Truths of Who Christ is in our life. (Romans 8:5) Bringing us into union with Him to live intimately is why He came in human form. Therefore, He is not going to just bring us peace, love, joy, patience, and all the nine fruit. He Is Peace, Love, Joy, Patience and all the Fruit of the Spirit. If we are careful to ask the right question, we will get the right answer. Meaning, the right question is, “God, what are You going to do about this situation; and, what do You want to do through me?” We never want to ask, “What am I going to do?” That question will lead us back to our fleshly coping mechanisms every time-figuring out a plan, strategizing how we can use our own strength and resources to accomplish the task. God never meant for us to meet “life” in our own strength. His purpose is to become our LIFE! That is New Covenant living. INVITE HIM IN daily as your FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. You will be surprised at how much He wants you to just rest in Him, doing nothing except what He wants to do through you. He holds everything together, even when we “feel like” everything is falling apart! (Acts 17:24-25) (Ephesians 3:20-21) What a Saviour! What a gift! Merry Christmas, indeed!