The Savior

        During the month of December, we naturally begin to think about Christmas and everything that is connected with it.  I have mentioned before that our local newspaper in La Porte, Indiana would begin haveing the Christmas countdown.  The corner of the comics page would contain a little Christmas tree, some stocking hanging on a fireplace and the number of shopping days left before Christmas Day.  I don't know if they still do that, but it was always interesting to watch the days click down.  Oh, by the way, there wasn't any mention of Christ being born or a nativity as such.  It just reminded us about the days left in which to shop.  As you fast forward to the present day, you may ask yourself if things have changed that much since then?  Well, they seem to have gotten a little worse.  There might be those who would ask the question, "Do we really need a Savior anyway?   Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"  
     The natural answer to that question is "yes" we do need a Savior.  The problem centers around the area of sin.  Since sin cannot be allowed into heaven it has to be paid for.  The processes of redemption, justification, reconciliation, sanctification and such are indeed in motion and they all depend upon one thing and that One Thing is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He was the Perfect Sacrifice and because of Him there is a way of salvation made available to all who would believe on Him.  This little verse from the Book of Romans tells us that all are sinners and no one is exempt from the defilement of sin.  It doesn't matter if you are a pauper, the head of a large company, the president of a great country, royalty, and educator, a scientist or a lawyer.  The list can go on and on.  Simply put, it makes no difference who you are because the verse says plainly that all are sinners.  The word "all" includes you and me and everyone around us and everyone you read about in the newspaper and everyone that is in the world and everyone before us and those yet to come.  So, basically, "yes" we need a Savior and the Only One Who fit the bill was the Lord Jesus Christ.  His First Advent made it possible as did His death and burial 33 years later and it is guaranteed by the resurrection from the dead.  He paid the price.  He made the redemption.  So, you are saying a lot this year when you say, Merry Christmas.  We needed a Savior.  Praise God today that He sent His Son.