Christ as Savior

A little more than four years after my wife and I were married we received the news that we would become parents for the first time.  Our initial response was a mixture of joy, anticipation, and anxiety.  Would we be good parents?  Will we know what to do while caring for our baby?  What will life be like when he comes?  Some of these questions were answered quickly for diapers had to be bought, a crib purchased, new decorations for the baby’s room had to be set in place, and a name with meaning must be chosen.  In other words, our life began to transform at the moment we knew our family would grow to three.  And that transformation continues to this day, almost seven years later.  Decisions are no longer made by what is best for “the two of us” but by what are best for “the family.”  That which is desired by the individual is placed secondary to that which is best for the family as a whole.  This is understandable and healthy, but is a change none-the-less.

When Christ saves an individual a transformation happens.  Sometimes that transformation is slow while other times it is very quick.  But it is a transformation none-the-less.  Like our experience as parents, Christ enters and transforms the life of the believer.  At times this transformation is difficult, but in the end it is always the best.  And at His second coming the transformation will be whole.

Christ humbled Himself by leaving His throne in Heaven to be born in a manger.  He is wholly righteous and came to judge the living and dead.  But He is also the Savior of the world.  He is a life-transformer.

May this Sunday before Christmas be a time that we as His disciples focus on His transformation of our lives.  We were dead, but now made alive.  We were lost, but now are found.  We were enemies of God, but now are children of God.  Praise Him for sending us our Savior.