The exercising of FAITH calls for an undetermined amount of ACTION. James, the Apostle, tells us “faith without works is dead.” Yet, increasingly we see the Church moving, either by choice or by force, out of the mainstream of our daily lives. With Christmas approaching, where are we (the Church), and are we (Christians) even distinguishable within the market place of ideas? Is His message lost?
Notoriety – the state, quality or character of being notorious or widely known.
a notorious or celebrated person.
The Church cannot and should not be both UNKNOWN and WELL KNOWN, nor can we allow Christmas to be pushed aside. Scripture calls us to a standard of righteousness, charity, and service that is recognizable whether it is “up close and personal” or “at a distance”. During the Christmas season we have a responsibility to openly express our FAITH in God by our Christian ACTION. We celebrate the birth of The Savior. We share in fellowship, brotherhood, and love. We have received “The Light of The World” and share His appearing with all who will accept Him. Christ is The Gift of Christmas.
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:20 & 26 (KJV)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (AMP)
To the world this may be foolishness, but He is and has always been God's plan to redeem mankind. Christ did not endure incarnation, death on the cross and resurrection for an anonymous Church. The reality is that we have been called into His glorious LIGHT to celebrate Him.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
The notoriety is not ours because the life is not ours. Yet, in every place and in every way the life that we live offers us the opportunity “to know Christ and make Him known”.
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11 (NASB)
The shepherds were unafraid to share the news of The Savior. There was no greater news then and there is no greater news today. Celebrate Christmas! Share Christ! The reason for the season is worthy of Notoriety. Make Him widely known.
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