Naughty And Nice

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, and checking it twice. He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice. He knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake. Santa Claus is coming to town. 

We all know the song, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. It's played a lot on the radio this time of year. I was thinking about the lyrics of this song today, and I realized that a lot of people have the view of Jesus that He is keeping a list and waiting to punish us if we're "Naughty". This view of Jesus is completely a lie from hell. A trick and deception from the enemy to get you to see Jesus in a unfavorable light, and make you feel unworthy, depressed, and hopeless. Or it will make you become totally motivated by works, and trying to earn your way to heaven-which you can not do.

I have some bad news and some good news for us all. The bad news is that we are all on the naughty list. Paul says in Rom. 3:10, "There is none righteous, no, not one." Rom. 3:23,"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Isaiah 64:6 says, "Our righteousness is as filthy rags.". On our best day, we're not worthy to be on God's "Nice" list. The good news is that Jesus Christ made a way for us to be worthy, righteous, and have our names written on the only list that matters-The Lambs Book of Life. 

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 3:23

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Eph. 2:8-9

The only way for us to be on God's list-The Lambs Book of Life-is to receive His gift to us this Christmas season. His gift is the greatest gift ever given to mankind. What we earn from our sin is death, but God gave us the gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus. How do I get this gift? How do you get any gift? You receive it. Gifts don't cost anything, so you just receive it.  

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10: 9-10

"For whosoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." Rom. 10:13

If you're ready to call on Him this morning, and receive the greatest gift ever given then pray this prayer with me.

"Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that the separation between us is because of my sin. I confess that I have sinned and have fallen far short of your glory. I thank you that you sent your Son, Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin. I believe that He died on the cross for me. I believe that you raised Him from the dead. I am sorry for my sins, and I ask you to forgive and cleanse me. I want to turn away from everything the Bible calls sin and receive you as my Lord, Master, and Savior. Help me to love, serve, and obey you for the rest of my life in Jesus's name, Amen!" 

If you've prayed that prayer with a sincere heart then a party has broke out in heaven, and your name is now on God's list. He calls you righteous. You are now His son or daughter. He loves you, and nothing can separate you from His love. Rejoice this Christmas. Jesus was born, so we can be born again. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17

Jesus is much better than Santa Claus. I hope you have a wonderful time this year celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.