Open Heaven 23 December 2024: Be Holy
MEMORISE: Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
READ: Matthew 1:18-23 (KJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before* they came together, she was found with child** of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child**, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Read Yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional Here
The birth of Jesus Christ was an important moment in the history of mankind. It was a pure demonstration of the love of God for the world (John 3:16), and His ability to bring His promises to pass, even when the devil tries to fight against them. In Matthew 2:16, he influenced Herod to go to great lengths to get Jesus killed. As a result, all the children aged two years and below in Jerusalem during that period were killed. However, the devil did not succeed because God had said that Jesus Christ will bruise his head.
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. – (Genesis 3:15)
In John 14:30, Jesus Christ said:
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
By living a life that was void of sin, He successfully conquered the world (John 16:33). Through His righteousness, we can now live righteously and above the world. The Bible says in (1 John 5:4-5):
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
As Christians, all we have to do is to truly believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and we will receive the power to live above sin. Philippians 2:13 says that He will work in us to do His perfect will, thereby putting an end to the sinful nature in us.
When we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we are celebrating our redemption from sin. We are celebrating not just His birth, but the event that made it possible for us to become born again such that we can now call ourselves children of God. The question now is, are you really born of God? The way to know if you are truly born of God is if you are living above sin. The Bible says in (1 John 3:9):
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Beloved, don’t just wine and dine in this season; understand that the birth of Jesus Christ has given you the ability to live above sin and to be victorious in the world. Walk in faith every day and live in this reality.
KEY POINT:
The birth of Jesus has empowered you to live above sin and to overcome the world.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 John 1; 3 John 1; Jude 1
Open Heaven 23 December 2024
