CHRISTMAS – Celebrating Without The Celebrant

by Pastor Vincent Imwensi

How would you like it to be your birthday and people gather to celebrate it but decide not to allow you into the party? You are locked out and in fact the mere mention of your name, offend some of the celebrants – how would you like that?

Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? But that is how a lot of people treat the One whose birth they celebrate during Christmas!

Do you realise that Christmas is actually somebody’s birthday? Yes, it is Jesus Christ’s birthday. Christmas is actually named after Him. Take “Christ” away from “CHRISTmas” and you will see that what is left (“mas”) doesn’t make sense.

Subtle Denials

Yet if you look around, you will see the many subtle ways in which so many people are seeking to take Christ out of Christmas.

For instance, in the United States of America, this season used to be the Christmas season but now that has been changed to the holiday season and the greeting is now “happy holidays” instead of “merry Christmas”.
Why? Because “Christmas” reminds people of Christ and refers to Him (which may offend some people) but “holiday” takes people’s minds away from Him to something totally different. And yet, Christ is the reason for the season.

Maybe it is not politically correct to say “merry Christmas” in nation whose motto is “In God We Trust”. Oh well, who knows, maybe it is not the God of the bible they are referring to after all. To my own mind, this is a crying shame and it is unfortunate.

Even here in London (United Kingdom), you can see the same subtle denial going on in different ways. There used to be Christmas music and songs in the air everywhere you go during the Christmas season. But now it has turned to “silent Christmas”.

Go to the shops, you will see people, busy as bees, buying all sorts for Christmas but not a single word is being said about the One who is the reason for Christmas – Christmas songs are no more.

In fact, in many shops and super malls, you don’t even see Christmas greetings anywhere!
And yet someone said to me not long ago that the United Kingdom is a “Christian nation”. Hahaha …. really?

The Date Argument
Of course there are people who take great pains and go to great lengths to try to prove that Jesus Christ was not born on the 25th of December. They may or may not be right but that is not the point.

What we celebrate is the very fact that He was born into this world and somehow, the 25th of December has become the preferred day in which His birth is celebrated all over the world.

We are familiar with a situation where somebody’s birthday may be on a Monday but he may not celebrate it until the following Saturday. Is it therefore less of a birthday because he did not mark it on Monday? Of course not.

Therefore Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season.

Jesus Christ – The Gift Of God’s Love

Who is this Jesus Christ and why does the whole world stop to mark His birthday?

The Bible provides clear answers to this question:

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” – Luke 2:11

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” Acts 4:12

Jesus Christ is God’s gift of love to a lost and suffering humanity. In Him is our salvation, peace, forgiveness, freedom from sin and it’s consequences, divine favour and the hope of everlasting life. Without Him, we are lost in sin and without hope for all eternity.

He is the greatest gift ever known to man. Haven’t you noticed that during Christmas people give gifts (or presents)? It is because Christmas is about the gift of God – the gift of His love to us in the person of Jesus Christ, the Saviour.

But for any gift offered to you to become yours, you have to receive or accept it. In the same way, to realise the benefit of the greatest gift of Christmas (Jesus Christ), you have to receive Him as your personal Saviour and Lord by a simple act of faith.

Let Him In And Celebrate This Christmas With The Celebrant

So as you prepare for this Christmas, here is a key question: are you going to be celebrating with the Celebrant or without the Celebrant?

He says in His word “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” – Rev.3:20

Here, He is talking about the door of your heart. Will you open to Him today? If you would like to do that, here is  a simple prayer to help you:

All Mighty God, I thank you for the gift of your love –  Jesus Christ. Today, I open the door of my heart and invite Jesus Christ into my heart to be my Saviour and Lord.

I repent of my sins and ask you to please forgive me. By faith, I welcome Jesus Christ into my life right now and I receive the gift of eternal life, in Jesus’ name, amen.

If you prayed the above prayer committing your life to Christ, I say congratulations. Now you will see the difference it makes when you celebrate Christmas with the Celebrant – Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

Click here for further information and to access very helpful faith building materials, free of charge.

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THE OTHER SIDE OF SEX EDUCATION

by Pastor Vincent Imwensi

The subject of sex has become so popular these days that there is hardly any where you look without being bombarded with sexual materials, suggestions, symbols, enticements, or matters that are connected with sex in one way or the other.
Maybe it has always been a popular subject but I doubt if sex has ever enjoyed the high and exalted pedestal on which it has now been placed. It has become such a glorified subject especially in the western media.
Sex-based programmes are now common place on national televisions and this is hailed as a good thing especially as many have come to see the need to address the “myths” and uneducated “taboos” surrounding the subject.

Sex is good and it is a blessing

There are some people who think that sex is bad or is dirty and that serious Christians or “good people” should have little or nothing to do with it. But that is wrong. Sex is good and indeed, it is a blessing given to man by God. It all depends on the way it is being used.
It is just like money. Money is a blessing and there is nothing wrong with it. But unfortunately, some people tend to think that money is bad and that if you are a serious Christian, you shouldn’t be talking about money. Till today, the ministers that receive the greatest persecutions (both from Christians and non-Christians) are those who preach on financial prosperity and walk in financial prosperity.
But there is nothing wrong with money and nothing wrong with being rich. It all has to do with the way a person relates with and uses money – because there is a right and wrong way to use and relate with money.
So the subject of sex should not be considered a taboo by Christians, neither should we shy away from knowledge that centres on sex.

Practical Sex Education

Recently, a television programme titled sex education came on national television (Channel 4, in the U.K.). It was directed at teaching the young people sex lessons ‘in a way they will never forget’. It sought to explain all the ‘explainables’ about sex and in fact went the extra mile.
The points made were driven home with naked models (men and women) who stripped in front of the camera during each segment of the programme. Their genitals and other parts of their bodies provided very vivid illustrations as the presenter gave the youths, unforgettable sex lessons.
What was more, there was a doctor on hand to explain all the ‘technical bits’ and provide educated insights into the human anatomy flavoured with her wealth of experience as a medical doctor.
Apart from some practical biology lessons, the heartbeat of the programme seemed to focus on addressing the growing and worrying problems of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (especially among the youths) which are said to be largely attributable to sexual ignorance among them.
There was a concern in the presenters of the programme (it seemed) to warn the youths of the consequences of their sexual involvements. It was as if they were on a mission to save many youths the sorrows and anguish of unwanted pregnancies and babies as well as the devastating effects of STDs and STI, (sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections) which is quite a laudable objective.

It’s better to know than to be ignorant

To all intents and purposes this was a good educational programme and I have nothing against it. In fact, I commend the courage and efforts of those who put the programme together bearing in mind what (I supposed) they were out to achieve.
In everything, knowledge is good and profitable especially if well utilised. Someone once said ‘if you think knowledge is costly, try ignorance’. You are better off knowing than being ignorant because the cost of not knowing can wreck unimaginable havoc. In fact, God said in His word, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”.
So we should not shy away from the acquisition of knowledge including sex education.
However, a one-sided knowledge can be dangerous – sometimes even more dangerous than total ignorance. Therefore on the subject of sex, it is important that a balanced understanding is presented.

What the sex educators did not say

I found quite disturbing the fact that the youths were not told at any point that there was anything wrong with having sex outside the bounds of marriage. What they were taught was If you are going to have sex, make sure you do it safely. That seemed to have sent out all the wrong messages.
The need for them to use condoms was emphasised again and again. In fact, during one of the sections, the youths were given a practical lesson (in a laboratory type of setting) on the right and wrong ways of wearing condoms.
You can’t blame the presenters of the programme though. They were simply reflecting the general attitude or stance of the society on the subject of sex – not just among the youths but at large.
However, there is another side to sex education about which the sex educators said nothing. Maybe they were unaware of this just as many people are.

The greatest danger is a hidden one

The dangers associated with unmarried sex are way beyond unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, there is a danger that outweighs these two put together.

If the government, the society and well-meaning individuals can be worried enough to want to educate and warn people about the dangers surrounding unprotected sex, shouldn’t these same be rather concerned about the gravest danger of all?

What is this danger? you may ask. It is the danger of facing God’s eternal judgment on sexual immorality which includes sexual sins of all kinds.

According to God’s word (the Bible), sex should only be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage. But these days, that is considered outdated, irrelevant and unthinkable.

God tells us in His word that sex outside of wedlock is a sin (or a punishable offence) before Him. And the judgment He has prepared for it is severe.

For instance look at Rev.21:8 –  “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

If unwanted pregnancy results from sexual encounter, it may cause some embarrassments and inconveniences as well as ruffle a few feathers here and there – but people do get over it.

If an STD is contacted through sex, the worst that can happen is that the individual dies (e.g. – as in the case of HIV or AIDS).

But God’s righteous judgment on sin (including sex outside of marriage) is forever. A dead sinner will wake up at the other side of reality to face God’s eternal judgment.

What if I don’t believe the Bible?

Well, you may say that you do not believe the bible but that does not diminish the truth of what is clearly written therein.

Truth is never devalued or rendered ineffective by neglect, denial or rejection. It will still prove true – except if it was never the truth in the first place. And God’s word is truth whether or not anyone chooses to believe or reject it.
As you read this, even at this very moment, there are many who are on their death beds – dying of AIDS. They were warned of the dangers of their lifestyle and their susceptibility to STDs including AIDS. But they did not believe it until they found themselves at the receiving end of what they thought was not true or would never happen to them.
So also, those who refuse to heed the warning of God’s word concerning the danger of sex outside of marriage, are exposing themselves to a very grave danger indeed.

We ought to let people know

People need to be educated concerning this danger. I am aware that many people don’t want to hear what the Bible has to say on such issues – especially on the “sacred” subject of sex. More often than not, they would mock, criticize and even persecute a born again Christian for raising this sort of awareness.
But if a medical doctor, a tv-presenter and some other well meaning individuals, have enough humanity in them to educate and warn their fellow humans on the dangers they know are real, what of the born again Christian? Shouldn’t we warn people concerning the danger we know to be true?
It is amazing that whereas the doctors and other informed individuals are not afraid to warn people concerning the dangers of certain lifestyles, many believers are more concerned these days about not offending people than telling them the truth they know.
A truly born again Christian knows that God’s word is true and that the warnings in the bible are real. The very life in the believer and the spiritual realities in which he lives are based on the truth of God’s word.
Should a believer then be silent for fear of not wanting to offend people while they blindly expose themselves to this impending danger? Should we not educate people so they can be saved from this danger?

Sexual sin is not the only sin but ….

Of course I am aware that sexual sin is not the only sin there is and that God’s judgement is not going to be limited to this sin alone.

Nevertheless, seeing that sexual perversion has now come to be seen as fun and sexual promiscuity has been granted such a “celebrity status” in our day and time, it is important to educate or remind anyone that will listen, of what they are playing with.  Sex outside of marriage portends a serious and eternal danger to which most people are oblivious.

Indeed, this seems to be a sin with an asterisk too. I do not think that hell has any greater dragnet with which it ensnares souls these days than sex-based sins. No wonder it is being given such publicity and hype.

In fact, only eternity will reveal how many multitudes of souls missed their way forever through sexual deceptions.

The way out

There is only one solution to sexual sin (as well as every other sin) – and that is to believe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, repent and ask Him to save your soul.

When you turn to Him in simple faith, He will receive you and forgive all your sins irrespective of how deep you have been in sin. Furthermore, He will give you the power to live a God-pleasing life and walk in victory over sexual sin and other sins.
Why not turn to Him right now and get saved (if you have not already done so)? To find out more, click here.

Visit our websites for more useful and helpful stuff viz:

http://www.livingwordlive.net/ ;  http://www.lwrm.org.uk/ and http://www.youthsarena.net

Posted in Love and Sex | 32 Comments »

Welcome To My Blog

Pastor Vincent Imwensi


Hello All,

You are welcome to my blog. Here on this blog, I will be bringing you very vital information, clues and insight into important issues of life as I see them.

As you will soon find out, my submissions will be practical, rich, realistic and straight to the point. You are free to leave your comments on any topic – all I request is that you try to avoid being offensive in your comments. Even where you want to criticize something, please try and be constructive – it is better that way.

Try and check in here often for new topics and if you like what you see here, let some other people know about this blogging site.

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Visit our websites for more useful and helpful stuff viz:

http://www.livingwordlive.net/ and  http://www.lwrm.org.uk/

Thank you.

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