"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV)Paul outlines a clear progression here: hearing, believing, and being sealed. First, "you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation." Every single person who has entered this Christian life has...

"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." - Ephesians 1:11-12 (NKJV)Paul tells us that "we have obtained an inheritance." This isn't something we might get someday if we're good enough - this is something we alre...

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11 NKJV)On this Christmas Day, we celebrate the birth of One Who is both Savior and Lord. The angels announced both roles - these are inseparable. Jesus cannot be your Savior unless He is also your Lord.In Colossians 1:15-20, we see Jesus described as the Image of the invisible God, the Creator of all...

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NKJV)Christmas is the story of love coming down. God could have remained in heaven and loved us from a distance, but His love moved Him to action - to send His Son, to become human, to live among us, and ultimately to die for us.This love is not based on our worthiness. Romans tells u...

"Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'" (John 3:3 NKJV)We celebrate the birth of Jesus, but Jesus told Nicodemus (John 3) that we must also experience a birth - we must be born again. The new birth is a process: you're convicted of your lostness, convinced that Jesus is the Answer, and converted by the Holy Spirit...