"Here is a genuine Nativity scene", I thought. Not like those we see, where Mary is kneeling and praying over the manger.
The truth of Mary giving birth to the Son of God, and her becoming pregnant through the Holy Spirit, and never knowing a man, really hit me like never before. I have always believed in the Virgin birth as a Christian, and yet I believe it with even a deeper faith now.
Was it the movie that helped my faith? I think it was. Do I need a film to help my faith increase? No. Not at all. It happened for me this way, because of the Scriptures, number one, and also because of the Holy Spirit, who increases our faith, and strengthens our confidence in the truth of God's Word. It's all His graciousness upon me, and upon us all. His grace makes it possible for us to grow strong in the Lord. We don't make ourselves strong. And the Lord does use means within His earthly realm to help us grow, such as films. I believe.
This time of year is a good time to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" isn't it. And not simply believe He came to earth as a baby born of a woman in a stable, but to truly UNDERSTAND why He came. That's what seperates the genuine faith from a nominal faith.
Hear what Martin Luther says of God's Son, the Christ: "Christ is the Son of God, and of a woman, who, for us sinners, was made under the law, to redeem us who were under the law. In these words he [Paul] comprehends both the Person and the office of Christ. His Person consists of His divine and human nature. This he shows when he says: "God sent forth His Son, made of woman." Christ, therefore, is very God, and very man. His office he shows in these words: "Being made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law."
...Christ...was sent by the Father into the world to redeem those who were kept in thraldom under the law. ...And Christ Himself says: "I judge no man," and, in another place: "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world" (John 8:15; 12:47). ...The law killed you, and I do judge, condemn, and kill the law, and so deliver you from its tyranny....[and so]
...we may boldly and with all confidence say: O law, you have no power over me; therefore, you accuse and condemn me in vain. For I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom the Father sent into the world to redeem us miserable sinners oppressed with the tyranny of the law. He gave His life, He shed His blood for me. Therefore, feeling your terrors and threatenings, O law, I plunge my conscience in the wounds, blood, death, resurrection and victory of my Savior, Christ. Besides Him I will see nothing, hear nothing." (From Luther's commentary on Galatians)
"Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
5 comments:
Good post Don.
Scriptures tell us that "in the last days" there will be increased revelation of Christ.
The phrase revelation of Christ is (too often) considered a prophetic gifting, or "word of knowledge" type of experience. It's not. The revelation of Christ is simple His children knowing Him more - understanding Him more....who He is, what He has done, is doing, and will do.
Revelation comes with the shedding of carnal and worldly understanding of who we think Jesus is....
My friend - consider it yourself that you have had a revelation of Jesus...
Thanks Don, funny you should post about this, the other day I was talking with a neighbor about the CHirstmas season and how our savior was born of a virgin. SHe almsot screamed at me "you don't believe all that crap do you?" I said Indeed I do, you don't? she looked at me in the funniest way and had little to say after that, but she is still talking to me! Yes I do stand on the word of God and I'm glad there are others who I can talk/blog with that do too!
(ping) Comment notification just alerted me that you and I are reading each other's blog at the same time. Cool.
How do you view Luther's description of the law as tyrannical when contrasting it to something like Psalm 119? I personally, am inclined to think that the law is good, but if you use personification for death, that's who I would charge with tyranny. I could be wrong, but I suspect Luther was perhaps being dramatic and overstating this for effect. What say you?
Luther surely agreed that the law is good commenting on Romans 7: "In the righteous who love the Law, the Law does not work concupiscence (lust), nor does it give cause for sin, nor does sin take occasion by the commandment (to sin no more); for in them sin is no longer present as a dominating power, indeed, it is truly dead."
Also: "The Law desires what is good, and so does the Apostle. Hence both agree to the good. But the carnal man is always against the Law...Even when he does what is good (externally), he finds no pleasure in it. He does it merely because he is driven by fear, or with a servile mind; if he could do the opposite with impunity, he would rather do it."
Also on Romans 7:25: This is the clearest passage of all, and from it we learn that one and the same (believing) person serves at the same time the Law of God and the Law of sin. He is at the same time justified and yet a sinner (simul iustus est et peccat); ..The saints are at the same time sinners while they are righteous. They are righteous because they believe in Christ, whose righteousness covers them and is imputed to them. But they are sinners, inasmuch as they do not fulfill the Law, and still have sinful lusts. They are like sick people who are being treated by a physician."
In Luther's commentaries we have to remember he is vividly focused on the verse at hand, and is unpacking that particular sentence, with grace always in mind.
I meant to say in this post to go and read and study the rest of Luther's comments on this chapter of Galatians, and so be rewarded with the fullness of his teaching.
Luther has said understanding Law & Grace, and knowing how to teach them, and to keep them separate form one another is a fearful thing indeed for those who teach the Word of God.
I believe he thought it was the most important doctrines.
Man, I said a lot.
thanks a lot Craver. Just kiddin'.
Have a great weekend. And the same to Mommanator and Chris, Lord's peace and grace be with you.
:-)
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