02.JAN.09

Christmas message from The New Testament Church of God Bishop Benjamin A. A. Samuel

Jesus Christ the life-giving word

‘But you, Bethlehem Ephratah —— out of you shall one come forth for me who is to be Ruler in Israel ——’

‘for to you is born this day in the town of David a Saviour who is Christ, became flesh, human, incarnate and tabernacled, lived awhile among us ——’

Amplified Version Micah 5:2; Luke 2:11; John 1:14.

The very Word of God bears proof of its authenticity. What is prophetic in Micah is fulfilled in Luke and John. The Word of God has been hated by many. It was burned by Tyrants, denounced by Infidels and doubted by Critics.{{more}} Obviously, those who hate God can never love His Word. Yet it is from time to eternity. It contains light to direct, food to support, comfort and cheer. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. It is from everlasting to everlasting.

The significance of the season is to remind us that lost man needs a Saviour. Micah heralded Him as ‘The Word – Ruler,’ and Luke introduced Him as ‘Jesus Christ – The Living Word.’

Man, as his own self destroying agent, has invented materials which are sensual, egoistic and demisive. Well did the Word forewarn man of his plight – ‘But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse; deceiving and leading astray others, and being deceived and led astray themselves.’ 2 Tim. 4:13. The untold human sufferings, the world over, bear evidence of the cause for concern and deliverance.

One may ask, ‘is there any hope for our world?’ Surely, there is hope! Hope in Jesus Christ who came to give us life – peaceful, healthy, wholesome and eternal life. Another may ask ‘how can we rediscover that hope?’ It is as simple as ‘going back to God and the Bible.’

John Quincy Adams – 4th American President wrote: The Bible is the first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention. Ulysses S. Grant wrote: Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practise them in your lives. William Lyon Phelps – Professor of Yale University said: I believe a knowledge of the Bible without a College Course is more valuable than a College Course without the Bible. Woodrow Wilson emphasized: A man has deprived himself of the best there is in the world who has deprived himself of this – A knowledge of the Bible. George Washington advised: It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.

Since God is true and every man is a liar, let us heed the sentence of this cause: – Purchase for yourself a Copy of the Sacred Word and search it diligently.

‘For God did not send the son into the world in order to judge, reject or condemn the world but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him’ – John 3:17 Ampl .V.

May God’s grace and mercy favour us in 2009 and beyond.