When Christ made an impact at Christmas, what comes to your mind when you think of the word impact?
I think of two trains or two rams colliding. How about football players running at each other or some leader or voice casting vision to motivate others?
Before Christ was born, it was a dark time in history. King Herod was cruel and a deceitful leader impacting the world of Israel. When he heard about the Baby Jesus being born, he tried to manipulate the three wise men to see the Christ. His goal was to slaughter all male-born babies two years old and younger and ultimately get to Jesus. Herod knew or had a good idea from the prophets of old that this baby Jesus would make an impact. He would be the Messiah, the Savior of the world.
The good news was going to be heralded in Bethlehem and Judah.
Jesus who was sinless and born as ‘God in the flesh’ would make an impact in our world.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14 NIV
"For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body." -Colossians 2:9 NLT
The impact of God’s presence to walk in the midst of us is beyond human comprehension, even when it seems like the darkest hour or valley that you face.
Ironically, Jesus' mission was born to die. A death out of obedience to die for the sins of the whole world; "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish."
The beauty of God’s impact on those who believe in their heart is that God’s heart collides with humankind with his presence. His unconditional love that we do not deserve.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” -Matthew 18:20
When light collides with darkness it shatters the darkest of rooms. When God’s light and love penetrate our lives, we will never be the same because God’s presence lives in our hearts and lives. Paul admonished that “our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.”
This was God’s plan from the beginning to have fellowship with Him.
"This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him, there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]." -1 John 1:5-9 AMP
Faith can be a challenging thing, especially when life appears to be falling apart. Trust God and allow Him to make an impact in your life and family today.
Pastor Andy Provitola