Advent 2024: Days Twenty and Twenty-One

Advent Day Twenty: If Jesus Had Not Come, We Would Not Know Reconciliation

People once lived in perfect harmony with their Creator. But through deceit, an evil villain succeeded in harming their relationship with Him. The people rejected the King, and destroyed what He loved for an irreconcilable existence.

What if Jesus had not come? We would be forever at odds with the only One who satisfies. We would forever be held captive in relationships that just can’t be made right.

But Jesus did come!

“…we also rejoice in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Romans 5:11b

Only He could repair what we had done. We can now know reconciliation with God! Just imagine how He feels when people continue to reject the offer.

This side of eternity we won’t see all relationships reconciled. It’s only possible with repentance, and reconciliation without that is dysfunctional. We can love and forgive at a distance. But no matter what we or others choose, for those in Christ, all things will be made new. As it was in the beginning, it will be again, reconciled in Christ!

If there’s someone we need to apologize to or forgive, let’s do that today.

Our warning comes from 2 Corinthians 5:18-19,

“All this is from God,

who through Christ reconciled us to himself

and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,

not counting their trespasses against them,

and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

God is offering reconciliation, and sending the good news through the reconciled. Let’s share the true Gospel and not another; let’s forgive others as He has forgiven us.

Lord, thank You for reconciling us to You! May many choose reconciliation through true repentance and trust in Christ alone.

Advent Day Twenty-One: If Jesus Had Not Come, We Would Not Have Clarity

A people once lived in clarity. No one was confused, causing purpose-filled unity under a wonderful King. But a Serpent offered an even greater clarity. Not only was it a lie, but he knew it would bring cloudiness and confusion. The people took the bait, and clarity was gone.

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan

with all power and false signs and wonders,

and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing,

because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Therefore God sends them a strong delusion,

so that they may believe what is false,

in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth

but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

What if Jesus had not come? This would be the fate of us all, eventually dying in delusion.

But Jesus did come!

“…the people dwelling in darkness

have seen a great light,

and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,

on them a light has dawned.”

Matthew 4:16

Jesus has lifted the spiritual fog! The Holy Spirit provides understanding. We must share the Gospel with clarity. Proverbs 12:26 says,

“One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Our warning and wake up call is Isaiah 5:20,

“Woe to those who call evil good

and good evil,

who put darkness for light

and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet

and sweet for bitter!”

Is there anything God calls evil that we are calling good? Is there anything good that we are ranting against?

Lord, align our hearts with Yours! May many hear the Gospel and choose clarity in Christ, proclaiming Your truth to cut through confusion.