Article written by: Sister Maxine Shackelford
“For unto to us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Dearly Beloved,
As we enter into the Christmas season, please know that without Christ there would be no Christmas! Jesus Christ was born, and came into this world for one reason, and for one reason only; to SAVE you and I from a sinful world. Yes, Jesus came to this earth for the express purpose of shedding His precious blood on the cross to provide forgiveness of sins (Romans 5:8-9; Hebrews 5:8-9).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16)
I once asked a follower of Islam if she believed she was going to heaven after she died. She said, “yes.” I then asked her, if God asked her why he should let her into His kingdom, what would her answer be? Her answer was, “Because of all the good works I’ve done; like visiting the sick, giving to the needy, etc.” She said, for Muslims, the precondition for salvation is belief in Allah and his oneness, the Last day and judgment and good deeds.” She said, “Salvation from sin is not necessary in Islam.” I asked her how she will know when she has done enough good work to make it into heaven? She couldn’t give me an answer. The Apostle Paul said, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
As Christians we believe the Holy Bible, which tells us “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19).
I remember as a child hearing my grandmother’s church sing the song “One, one Way,” and there is only one way to God, and to be accepted into His Kingdom, and that’s by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. “If thou confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9) Let us not forget the “reason for the season,” and receive the free gift of Salvation provided for us by God the Father; and only JESUS SAVES!
HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Jesus Saves (Live)
Article written and researched by Sister Maxine Shackelford
Grandmothers of Hope Society Ministry