Can you imagine a world that had never heard of Jesus Christ? What if He had never been born? Old Testament prophecies gave God’s people, Israel, hope in the coming of a Messiah (Christ). Even Gentiles were “not without witness” (Acts 14:17), as seen in the visit of the wise men from the East (Matt. 2). God’s word to all the world was: A King and Redeemer will be born who will die for man’s sins. Without the coming of Christ into the world the world would be without hope. We would not have the abundant life, for He said, “I am come that ye might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The world is declared to be “guilty before God” (Rom. 3:19b), for “all have sinned…” (3:23). The whole world would then be under condemnation, for “The wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23a).

If He had not come, there would not have been an acceptable offering for our sins, but Isaiah had prophesied of the Christ: “Thou shalt make His soul (life) an offering for sin” (Isa. 53:10). Heb. 9:22 says, “Without the shedding of blood (His blood) is no remission of sins” But Jesus Christ has come, died for us, is risen, and one day will return. Dare we to live as though He had never been born? Have you availed yourself of the hope that is in Christ?

 

                           Ron Bartanen is minister of the Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur, IL.