Instinctively, we appreciate honesty and sincerity in others, but do we underestimate its importance in our spiritual life?
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God”(1:9-11). Blamelessness, purity, excellence, and the true fruit of righteousness are found only through knowledge of God, discernment of truth, and love for your Savior.
Superficial Christianity abounds in society. People say, “I love Jesus,” without knowing the real Jesus. They sing Christmas carols with little awe for the reality of the words. They say, “I’m a Christian,” while evidencing none of the necessary humility it takes to become a Christian. They want others to see them as spiritual, yet their aggrandized self-image and hesitancy to admit they don’t know everything do not evidence submission to the very real God. They follow their own prescription for righteousness, justifying their choices by finding others who agree with them; but they have little concern over whether their understanding of God is accurate. They often broadcast their own supposed goodness rather than praise God who is the only true source of righteousness. Any suggestion that perhaps they have more to learn is met with disdain. And yet the Lord loves these people! If they are Christians who have strayed or have not grown, he longs for them to truly seek him. If they have never accepted Christ, he waits with open arms for their admission of their need of him as Savior.
As you write your Christmas shopping list, scour the stores for perfect gifts, and wrap your presents, don’t forget what all this gift-giving symbolizes. It’s a reminder of the gift of a Savior over two thousand years ago. The giver of this gift knows you better than you know yourself, and he gave you a gift which meets every need and gives greater joy than any other gift in the world. Don’t forget to genuinely treasure that gift in the busy-ness of the season. Honor this gift by seeking to understand God’s Word better, singing Christmas carols with thoughtfulness, finding and appreciating a church which will help you grow in knowledge and discernment, and prioritizing that church as God’s plan for this age.
Consider whether you’re a Christian in name only. If you’ve never admitted your own unworthiness and inability to achieve righteousness on your own, accept Christ’s payment on the cross as your substitute and gain his righteousness. If you’re a Christian, strive to gain “knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent.” Seek a stronger relationship with your Savior as you hear the Christmas story this year, and savor the reality of it as you labor to know him better.