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Dear Servants of the King,
“Look out!” Whew … that was close. Many of us have had the experience of being in a close call with danger. Fortunately, while we were oblivious for whatever reason, someone was alert enough to warn us, wake us up, and get us to move to safety. It happened to me … or should I say … to my commander once. Lieutenant Colonel Charles was on alert with me, Second Lieutenant Kent, in Wyoming. He was starting to change a light bulb powered by a 240-volt, 20-amp circuit. As he readied his screwdriver to pop out the light bulb, I noticed he hadn’t opened the circuit breaker. As I slapped his hand, knocking him over, I yelled, “Look out! … Sir.” My warning saved my commander from a shocking experience. He thanked me … and let me take over the rest of the maintenance.
For many this time of year is filled with commotion. The hustle and bustle of shopping, parties, and decorating occupies our eyes, ears, and minds to the point of distraction from things that truly matter. That’s what the season of Advent is for … it’s a period of waiting in which God, through His Word, tells us, “Look out!” In His Word, God warns us to keep our senses attuned to the truly important thing this season … and throughout the year.
Much of our distraction is focused on one day … Christmas … the day we celebrate our Savior’s birth. However, if we pay close attention to what God tells us this season, we see He’s got a more important day for us to focus on. It’s true, Jesus Christ, our Savior, was born into the world and we celebrate that blessed day on Christmas. However, Jesus was born for a reason … He was born to “save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).” He was born to die on the cross and then, to rise from the dead to defeat the power of sin and death over all who believe in Him (Romans 10:9). But God is still warning us this Advent, “Look out!”
Through Paul, He urges us “Look out!” saying, “You know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed … the day is at hand. (Romans 13:11-12).” God warns us because, while Jesus first appeared in a lowly stable … He is going to return. The day of His return is drawing closer with each hour and minute that passes. On that day, the King of kings, Lord of lords will return to judge all mankind, living and dead. So, “Look out! … Cast off the works of darkness (orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, and jealousy) and put on the armor of light (the Word made flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ) (Romans 13:12-13).”
God doesn’t keep His love for His people secret. He truly desires that all come to faith in His Son Jesus, born over 2000 years ago so that when He returns, on a day and hour that nobody knows (Matthew 24:36), He will find a world teeming with faith that will be brought into His eternal kingdom. Look out!
In God’s Peace,
Pastor Jim