Dearly Beloved,
As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us reflect on Matthew 3:17:
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (KJV)
This powerful scripture reveals two distinct experiences we can have with the Father after salvation. The first is when the Father loves us, and the second is when we move beyond being loved to actually pleasing Him. This second phase should be your vision for your Christian life—striving to please the Father with all you do.
Pleasing the Father: Our Life’s Mandate
The pursuit of pleasing God must become our ultimate goal. God has already demonstrated His immense love for us by giving His only Son, as highlighted in John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His Son.”
When we become born again, we experience God’s love, but as we grow in Him, our focus should shift to pleasing Him. A life that pleases God is one that brings Him joy. This is the kind of life He desires for all His children, regardless of where they have been or what they have done in the past.
The Father desires to say of each of us, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” If we are not pursuing His pleasure, we risk wasting the great sacrifice of Christ.
Living to Bring Joy to the Father
A major way to please the Father this Christmas is by extending His love to others. Jesus’ sacrifice is evidence of God’s love for sinners—both those saved and those yet to come to Him. Even those who reject salvation still experience God’s love, but the holiness of God will ultimately hold sinners accountable.
The best way to demonstrate the love of the Father this season is by sharing the gift of salvation with someone who doesn’t yet know Christ. This act of soul-winning is the greatest gift you can offer during Christmas.
Be a Star Believer
In Daniel 12:3, we are reminded:
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (KJV)
This Christmas, make it your mission to be a “star believer” by turning many to righteousness. Let your heart be committed to winning at least one soul for Christ this season. It is the ultimate way to reflect the brightness of God’s glory.
Enlist the Father’s Commitment
When you live to please the Father, you experience His commitment in your life in extraordinary ways. His power, resources, and mercy will be visibly demonstrated as you prioritize giving Him pleasure. Let this truth guide your decisions and actions, not just during Christmas but every day of your life.
Your Mandate This Christmas
Beloved, as we celebrate this holy season, let us focus on fulfilling our divine mandate. Let your whole life be geared toward giving God pleasure. Pursue this with all your heart and prioritize it above all else. Share the love of Christ, win souls for His kingdom, and live to hear the Father declare, “In you, I am well pleased.”
Till next Christmas, go and win with Jesus.
God’s Servant,
Rev. Olusola A. Areogun
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