Message For Messengers

Message

Personality Of Christ

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” ( Luke 2:11)

2000 years ago, this good tiding was announced to the shepherds through an angel about the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Verse 11, Jesus is referred to as three personalities. In other words, we see the three portraits of Jesus in this verse.

JESUS came to this world as the SAVIOR to the SINNERS.

JESUS came to this world as CHRIST to a THIRSTY SOUL.

JESUS came to this world as the LORD to a BELIEVER.

These three aspects of JESUS also refers to the three stages in the spiritual growth of a Christian.

Recognizing JESUS as the SAVIOR

Reaffirming JESUS as the CHRIST

Reclaiming JESUS as the LORD.

To know about Jesus is one thing and to know Him, as Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:10 in a personal and intimate way is totally another thing. Today, Christendom knows Jesus as the Savior, but very few know Him as their LORD.

For example, take a watch. I know it shows time, but I don't know how it shows time. Only few of those who know a watch in detail will know how it works. I know its function but not its operation. Today's Christendom knows what Jesus does, but doesn't know how He does. God wants us to have a practical progressive knowledge of Himself, so that we can experience His fullness in our lives. May the Holy Spirit speak as you read through this message. I think this would be appropriate for us to meditate on these lines in this Christmas season.

1. Acknowledging Jesus as our Savior
Luke 5:8 “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

The very presence of Jesus brought such a deep conviction of sin in the life of Peter. The first man Adam was created in the very image of God. Everything was given into the hands of man. But everything was lost because of one man's ( Adam) disobedience and everything was restored because of one man's ( Jesus Christ) obedience to the will of His Father. Therefore, the first step in our spiritual life is to acknowledge that we are sinners and recognize the need for a Savior, Jesus Christ. A sinner needs a Savior.

2. Acknowledging Jesus as our Christ.
Christ means the anointed One. Christ is the Baptizer, the One who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul asked the disciples at Ephesus in Acts 19:2 “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?”

Today this question is not much asked by the servants of God. Why did Paul ask this question? If they say yes, then Paul need not bother much about their spiritual life because the Holy Spirit will take control of their lives. Once a person receives the Holy Spirit, then the Holy Spirit becomes the Resident and President in his/her life. Remember Jesus said in John 16:8 “When the Holy Spirit is come, He will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.” Without the help of the Holy Spirit, a person cannot live holy.

When we travel in a bus or train, we often check whether the ticket or the purse is in our pocket. Likewise, we must often check whether the Holy Spirit is with us or not. Remember Jesus said, “I will send another Comforter and He shall abide with you forever.”

3. Acknowledging Jesus as our Lord.
One of the disciples of Jesus Christ named Thomas did not believe that Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. Jesus appeared unto Thomas and said, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” And immediately Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.” ( John 20:27,28). We are God's miracle creation and He is our Master-Controller.

He is the sovereign Lord who is in control of everything in our lives. If we have to acknowledge Him as our Lord, then we need to surrender our lives unconditionally without any reservation whatsoever. We sing that chorus, “He is my everything and He is my all,” but is it true in our lives in reality? If not, surrender your life completely to Him and yield every area of your life to Him right now. “If He is not the Lord of all, He is not the Lord at all.”

If you see a person from a distance, you can see him only as a man, but as you walk closer to him, you can identify who he is. Therefore, in this Christmas season, draw closer to God to know Him not only as your Savior, but also as your Christ the anointed One, and as your Lord who is in full control of your life.

May the good Lord bless you and make you a blessing to many others in this special festive season.