“The Gift Has Already Been Given: Have You Received
It?”
By
Rev. Chaplain George M. Rossi
December 24, 2014
Christmas Eve
Titus 2:11-14
2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,
2:12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,
2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2:14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Christmas Eve surely speaks to the preparation “to give” and “to receive” good gifts tomorrow. Yet, the Gift (Jesus Christ-fully God, fully Human) has already been given. In Titus 2:11 the writer declares that the “charis” (grace) of God has appeared (root word for epiphany). I don’t know about you but God in the flesh certainly still challenges me. How can that be? Is it true? Did the fullness of God come in human form and in the body and bones of Jesus Christ? It is true. Jesus has come in the flesh. Initially, he came as a baby in the manger. That’s the essence of the Christmas story. Salvation has appeared and we can either see it or look away. We can receive the gift humbly or we avoid it. The God of the Bible became incarnate (pitched a tent with us) and dwelled among the people of Palestine so that He would bring salvation. That’s not the end of the story though. The other half of the story is the fact that the grace of God has been brought to ALL people. The entire world is being called to call on the LORD to receive salvation. When salvation is received one is given the Gift of God. It is spiritual wholeness, spiritual safety, spiritual healing from the Savior, Jesus Christ, himself.
The name Christian means and assumes that Christ has indwelled the hearts and soul and minds of God’s people. It is the LORD who has come to live on this earth, but more importantly, it is the LORD who has come to help us to live. The Christian is called to move away from impurity and worldly passions. I think the easiest way to understand this calling is in terms of putting God first and following God according to the law of the Spirit and law of Love. As followers of Jesus the Christ (anointed one of God) we are called to live lives that are self-controlled, upright and godly. Those are challenging words: self-controlled, upright and godly (followers of what God endorses). In the last two verses (vv. 13-14) the writer says that the second appearing of Jesus will eventually happen. It’s amazing how the writer talks of the advent and coming of Christ, describes the goals of Christian living and then says that Jesus will bring the final redemption and cleansing when he appears the Second Time. We don’t know the time of that reappearing and until then we are called to live a life of good deeds.
So, living for God means being an energized and zealous worker that shows and brings God’s love through actions, helping, caring, confronting, challenging, and forgiving others. We live amidst our own and others imperfections yet others know when the Gift has been received in our lives. Others can tell when Christians want the best for others and give their best to others. So, have you received the Gift from the Gift Giver? If so, let us press on to living a life that shines brightly amidst a sometimes dark world.
Dear God: Thank you for the Gift of salvation, wholeness and peace during Christmas. They are truly priceless. Amen.
By
Rev. Chaplain George M. Rossi
December 24, 2014
Christmas Eve
Titus 2:11-14
2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,
2:12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,
2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2:14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Christmas Eve surely speaks to the preparation “to give” and “to receive” good gifts tomorrow. Yet, the Gift (Jesus Christ-fully God, fully Human) has already been given. In Titus 2:11 the writer declares that the “charis” (grace) of God has appeared (root word for epiphany). I don’t know about you but God in the flesh certainly still challenges me. How can that be? Is it true? Did the fullness of God come in human form and in the body and bones of Jesus Christ? It is true. Jesus has come in the flesh. Initially, he came as a baby in the manger. That’s the essence of the Christmas story. Salvation has appeared and we can either see it or look away. We can receive the gift humbly or we avoid it. The God of the Bible became incarnate (pitched a tent with us) and dwelled among the people of Palestine so that He would bring salvation. That’s not the end of the story though. The other half of the story is the fact that the grace of God has been brought to ALL people. The entire world is being called to call on the LORD to receive salvation. When salvation is received one is given the Gift of God. It is spiritual wholeness, spiritual safety, spiritual healing from the Savior, Jesus Christ, himself.
The name Christian means and assumes that Christ has indwelled the hearts and soul and minds of God’s people. It is the LORD who has come to live on this earth, but more importantly, it is the LORD who has come to help us to live. The Christian is called to move away from impurity and worldly passions. I think the easiest way to understand this calling is in terms of putting God first and following God according to the law of the Spirit and law of Love. As followers of Jesus the Christ (anointed one of God) we are called to live lives that are self-controlled, upright and godly. Those are challenging words: self-controlled, upright and godly (followers of what God endorses). In the last two verses (vv. 13-14) the writer says that the second appearing of Jesus will eventually happen. It’s amazing how the writer talks of the advent and coming of Christ, describes the goals of Christian living and then says that Jesus will bring the final redemption and cleansing when he appears the Second Time. We don’t know the time of that reappearing and until then we are called to live a life of good deeds.
So, living for God means being an energized and zealous worker that shows and brings God’s love through actions, helping, caring, confronting, challenging, and forgiving others. We live amidst our own and others imperfections yet others know when the Gift has been received in our lives. Others can tell when Christians want the best for others and give their best to others. So, have you received the Gift from the Gift Giver? If so, let us press on to living a life that shines brightly amidst a sometimes dark world.
Dear God: Thank you for the Gift of salvation, wholeness and peace during Christmas. They are truly priceless. Amen.
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