What a privilege it is to be called a child of God and to know Christ as Saviour and King. Often as Christians, we may perceive our faith in Christ as a choice we made, but we find numerous scriptures that remind us that it was through God’s sovereign grace and love that we are saved.
In the Christmas story, we read about the shepherds in the field who were attending to their flocks at night. Scripture gives us no information about their names, their devotion to God or of them having any sense of anticipating the birth of Jesus.
Basically, these shepherds were minding their own business and getting on with their daily routine. They were not seeking a Saviour, nor were they expecting a life transforming news; but God broke into the darkness of their lives and sent His angels to deliver a message of Hope, Peace and Reconciliation.
The narrative in Luke reads, “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
This is also true of us, that God the Creator of the world would move heaven and earth and work things out that you and I may also receive the good news (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) to believe and be saved. This speaks of his amazing love and sovereign grace towards us in Christ Jesus.
But why you and I? Why the shepherds and not the Scribes and Pharisees? Well, we don’t know why, but what we do know is, we have been saved by sovereign grace and this should be enough to brighten our gloomy days and encourage us that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).
Paul also encourages us in Romans 8:32, saying, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?“. If God gave us His Son as a sacrifice to reconcile us to Himself, then we are confident that in our endeavours and challenges in life, He will work things out for our good.
As we approach this Christmas season, may we continue to reflect on the Lord’s goodness to us.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Chris Eke
