A Christmas Devotional Inspired by “We Are The Reason”

 A Christmas Devotional Inspired by “We Are The Reason”

Christmas has a way of tugging on our hearts. Maybe it is the lights, maybe it is the music, or maybe it is the fact that we are all running on sugar cookies and four hours of sleep by mid December. But then a song comes along and makes us think. We Are The Reason is one of those songs. Every time I hear it, I feel like the Lord leans in and says, “Hey, remember me? Do you remember why I came?” And I usually respond with something not so spiritual like, “Yes Lord, but I sure am busy right now…can we talk later?”

The song says, “We are the reason that He gave His life.” Think about that. The baby in the manger did not come for a holiday moment or a Hallmark movie plot. He came on purpose, with purpose, and for a purpose. 

He came for you. 

He came for me. 

I love what Paul tells Timothy in I Timothy 1:15. 

1 Timothy 1:15 BSB

This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

We are the reason that He stepped out of heaven and into our mess. If we are being honest this morning, some of our Christmas messes are impressive. Just this week alone, I have witnessed plenty of messes. I have seen surgeries, strokes, custody battles, divorce, sickness, and shame to spare. Friends, Jesus came to redeem us. He came to this dark, dirty world to rescue us from death it self. He came from heaven to save us from hell. 

He is the light. 

He is the life. 

He is the liberator. 

That is why we call the Gospel “The Good News” because it is the best news ever. 

The Bible makes it clear why Jesus came. Romans 3:23 says that all of us have sinned. 

Not some of us. 

All of us. 

Even the person who looks like they have everything together, all the answers. I will tell you a secret, their life is a wreck too, they are just good at hiding it. 

Oh friends, don’t believe the Facebook posts, not everyone’s marriage is flawless, not everyone’s kid hits a home run at every at bat, not every woman’s husband is better than yours and not everyone else’s wife brags on their mate everyday. 

There is no perfect people. 

We are all failures, flawed in every way. 

The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 tells us the cost of that sin, SPIRITUAL DEATH. All of us will experience a physical death. That is when our physical lives end. Spiritual death happens when we are separated for eternity from the God who loves us, created us, and desires us. God will not force Himself on you. If you say “no” to God here on earth, He will give you what you ask for in eternity. 

Friend, if you or I died without putting our faith in Jesus Christ, we would stand before God accountable for all of our sins. We have no defense. We will stand in the courtroom of heaven alone. All of our earthly crimes would be laid bare before God. All of our idols will fall before the King of Kings. All of our lies. All of our lust. Every time we cheated, stole, took the name of the Lord in vain. All of our envy, jealously seen by every eye in heaven. Every time we coveted our neighbor’s home. Every time we disobeyed God. Every act of rebellion. Every time we dishonored our mother and father. It is all there. Without Christ we tell God that we are ready to pay for our sins ourselves. God, because He is just, will pay us for every single transgression. 

However, God provided for you and I a defense. Not a defense of our making, but of His. God the Righteous Judge provides for me and you a defense attorney who will stand with us in that heavenly courtroom. 

Go back to Romans 6:23…

Romans 6:23 AMP

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You want to talk about a Christmas gift. 

This is the one, this is the one package, this is the one gift that Amazon cannot deliver.

Romans 5:8 goes even deeper. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did not wait for us to get our act together, clean up our lives, or pretend we had everything figured out. 

He loved us first. 

He came for us first. 

He took our place on the cross, offering us forgiveness and a brand new start.

And then Romans 10:9 shows us how to respond. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” 

Not might be saved, not should be saved. 

Not can be saved. 

You will be saved. 

That is God’s promise to you.

So if you are listening today and you have never said yes to Jesus, I want you to know this. Christmas is God’s invitation with your name on it. Jesus came because you matter. He lived so that you could have a relationship with Him, He died to pay your penalty, your wage of sin and death, and He rose again so that you could know Him personally. You really are the reason.

If you are ready to trust Him, ready to start again, or ready to come home to the One who came for you, I want to lead you in a simple prayer. This prayer does not save you because of fancy words. God saves you because He knows your heart. But if this expresses what you desire today, pray with me.

Sinner’s Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I need You. I believe You came for me, You died for me, and You rose again. I turn from my sin and I place my trust in You alone. Forgive me, change me, and make me Yours. Thank You for saving me. I will follow You from this day forward. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, Christmas just became more than a holiday. It became the day you embraced the greatest gift ever given, the gift of Jesus Himself. If you asked Christ to come into your life this morning, come speak to me after the service is over. I will be in the foyer. I can’t wait to celebrate with you. God bless you and remember, Jesus loves you and so do I. 

Chris and Kayla, come lead us in “We Are The Reason”!