December 15: SECONDS COUNT

[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Colossians 1:15-17

It is thrilling to view the cloudless sky on a clear night, and to think of Baby Jesus as a newborn in the manger and shepherds viewing that same night sky—when suddenly the angels came to visit! To the sky-gazer who is a believer in the Creator, there is also the knowledge and the blessed comfort that He is gazing down with deep love and concern.

The vastness of creation is beyond our comprehension, as is the depth of God’s love. Yet each serves as a testimony to the other.

And, as if that is not enough, He who made all things became nothing, purposely placing Himself under the judgement, condemnation, and penalty that results from breaking His law. He is at work to show us that real, unending life means honoring and keeping His law because we love Him. Citizenship in Heaven is for law-abiding citizens. The Creator and Redeemer is also the Lawgiver! He laid down His own life in order to satisfy the penalty of His eternal Law which will never change. But death could not grasp Him permanently, because He committed no sin. The terrible penalty He paid—the “second death” of total separation from God—was for me. If I will fully accept the Savior’s death in my place (full acceptance means yielding to His work of transformation), the gift of immortality will be given to me at the Savior’s second advent! (see 1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:19&3:13, 1 John 2:28)  

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live in it any longer? For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:1-2,23