The Divine, Practical Purpose of the Incarnation.

Love is talked about often during the Christmas season. The love of God in our hearts produces hope (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit instructs us about God's love. The gifts given by the Holy Spirit are to be lived out in love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and 1 Peter 4:9-11). It is God Himself who teaches us to love (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10).

Which expression of love is worth the most? Jesus said that superlative love is expressed in obedience (John 15:13-17). Jesus' loving obedience led Him to give His life for us whom He called His friends (verse 13). He did this for a purpose, and we are ambassadors of His message, sent in joy to share His love.

The letter of 1 John was sent to a church which had been confused by teachers called the Gnostics. They thought the spirit world was good and the material world was evil, and so said that God could have never come in flesh in the human person of Jesus. The apostle John, however, had seen God in the flesh. He wrote to correct this false teaching. Without the Incarnation, there is no salvation and no Gospel that can change people's lives. John assured these Christians of their fellowship with God and with others, then taught them about their missional purpose. The church was corrected, matured, and then sent.

God is the source of sacrificial love.

Love is not God's shadow; He is love (1 John 4:9-12).

Christ is the manifestation of sacrificial love.

We live through Him and are on the same mission (Philippians 2:2-10, John 15:18-27, 1 John 2:1-2).

The Holy Spirit is the teacher of sacrificial love.

The Spirit supports the Son's mission.

Christians are the current manifestation of sacrificial love.

We disciple and encourage one another to be ambassadors of Christ's message (Romans 16:25-27). Jesus' highest purpose is also ours.

Application Points

• God has at least one person in your sphere of influence for you to reach with the love of Christ. Pray for opportunities to reach them!

A Hymn to Encourage: "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above.
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus! to Thee be all glory given.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.