A Message by Pastor Katsumasa Hirota,
1st Sunday, Oita Evangelical Christ Church on December 7th, 1997
1 John 4:9 - The Meaning of Christmas
1 John 4:9 - The Meaning of Christmas
It's the second worship service since the season of Advent has started. Christmas, being
around the corner, let us again remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Today's holy verse is one of the best known in the Bible. Last week, we read the part of
the dedication of Baby Jesus. There we found Simeon, who had been so faithful in the sight
of God, as he finally met the Saviour; his Saviour, whom he had been waiting for. Now he
could peacefully leave the world.
One of my good friends also found the Saviour and his place to devote, after struggling in
his earthly life. Imagine you were riding in a bus - without paying fare. Assuming you
are an honest person then you must have been very worried. What would happen? You would
have been out of peace until you were able to reach your destination. The fact is: you
needed to have a TICKET to that place you were heading to. Well, the same applies to our
lives. We must also be carrying a ticket to the place we want to reach when we die. This
is the salvation bought for us by Jesus Christ!
Once a junior highschool boy was struggling over his life. He had three things to decide:
1. where he was going; 2. what he was living for; and 3. where he'd be when he died.
These three questions often bother people...
Once a famous philosopher said, "no matter what their race, human beings all naturally
search for something to worship." Living among such people, we struggle in life as well.
Getting back to today's scripture verse, it's a definite fact that "life" is the most
precious thing that we have. We argue a lot against "race". But we can find God's saying
in Galatians 3:28, Greek, Jew, Gentile.. you are all the same. This "same" means that the
preciousness of life, regardless of the nation or race you belong to, is the same in God's
sight.
The sad thing is - that we often think little of life. Some try to commit suicide or look
down on others who are in some way different. Such people just haven't realized the
importance of life; for life is given to us by God. We tend to think that we are living,
but the truth is that God is letting us live a life.
There are so many kinds of people around us; some are drunken, some are violent or others
who we think shouldn't have been born into this world. However, to God, every single life
is so precious that He gave His only son. We should not give up on life. There is always
a chance to start again. Once, a friend of mine, a successful doctor, killed himself
because he couldn't find meaning in his life - why do we live a life? Beyond our reason,
and our will, we are living because of God's will and forgiveness.
"God loved the world so much - that He gave His only son." This is how God showed His love
to us! So, as ones who know this great love, we are to live answering and reacting to His
love.
Our purpose in life is to live for God - following in His path, and sharing what He has
given us. I sometimes think: 'I am just a simple man. I have nothing. I can't do
anything for the people around me. I am worthless.' However, when I think of how God
takes me, I can start again - with strength! Nothing can put me down! Knowing the love of
God for me, I can never be depressed.
God lets us live a life! With the God of love, we are to follow His love. Everyone of us
is sent to a different place - with His love and joy in mind. We can be people who light
up the atmosphere where people are gathered. Let us say all the time: 'I'd love to do
this (that)!' Keeping the joy alive. Certainly, the situation would be changed -
naturally - by your love and joy.
Translated by Junko Okamoto
- Edited for the Net by Shido
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