And the Word was made flesh.
1. How blest is the season at which we appear!
Bow down, sense and reason, faith only reign here.
’Tis heard by mere nature with coldness and scorn,
That God, our Creator, an infant was born.
2. Lost souls to recover, and form them afresh,
Our wonderful Lover took flesh of our flesh;
From sin to release us – that yoke so long worn,
The holy child Jesus of Mary was born.
3. Poor sinners dejected, of comfort debarred,
Whose hearts are afflicted because they’re so hard;
Despairing of favour – cold, lifeless, forlorn,
Remember, the Saviour in winter was born.
4. And ye that sincerely confide in the Lamb,
(He loves you most dearly) rejoice in his name;
No more the believer from God shall be torn –
To hold him for ever an Infant was born.
J. HART
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14
A Word of Warning
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Romans 8:9
Sobering and striking words! Sobering because they deal with that relationship with Christ that determines our eternal destiny. Striking because of their appearance in this eighth chapter of Romans, a chapter devoted to assuring God’s people of their standing in Christ. Why in the midst of such a comforting chapter does Paul introduce such a disconcerting statement? Because there will always be people who would take the comfort of this passage without first having taken the Christ of this passage. It is a word of warning to professing Christians.
“If any man…” It matters not your pedigree. You may come from a long line of godly people, but unless you possess the Spirit of Christ, you are none of His. Nor does a mere profession of faith make you God’s child. Paul here speaks of possessing Christ’s Spirit, not a profession of such. Walking an aisle, being baptised, or shedding tears has never saved a soul from Hell. Once more, if any man, regardless of the persuasion of others, has not the Holy Spirit, he is lost. Do not go out into eternity resting on your reputation with others!
When a sinner is born again, he receives the life of Christ, a life that makes him a “new creature.” And what are the evidences of the indwelling Spirit? Paul tells us that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (v.14). But led where? First, led to Christ. Your desires and interest will be turned from the world to the Saviour. You will be led to pray. Christ’s own have received “the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (v. 15). Lastly you will be led into obedience to Christ. Those who possess the Spirit “do mortify the deeds of the body” (v. 13) because Christ’s Spirit will gradually change them into His likeness.
Have you the Spirit of Christ? What a dreadful thing it would be to be none of His. Rest not until you have cast away all dependence upon self and cast your soul upon Christ.
Rev. John Wagner
Eagles Wings, Daily Devotional Meditations
Ah, if I am none of His, whose am I?
C. H. Spurgeon