First, a disclaimer; this is not about the movie that was released on January 7, 1947, called “It’s A Wonderful Life.” What this message pertains to is John 1:1-4; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)
Isaiah 9:6; “For to us a child is born; to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
1 John 3:1; “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”
From the first sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), God knew that humans could never withstand all the temptations that would be thrown at us. He is perfect and likewise can only tolerate perfection. Because of this, and because of His pure, unending love for all of us, He knew that only He could offer a part of Himself that could resolve all our sins. He could have caused all humans to be slaves, working endlessly to even begin to somehow “earn” a portion of eternity. Sadly, even at this extreme measure, we never would be able to live up to His expectations.
Even though Jesus is called the “Son of God,” He is fully God. Just as the Holy Spirit is also fully God. Man believes he has this all figured out, but we will never know the full measure of the Holy Trinity while we are on this earth.
Looking at 2 Peter 3:9 and then Romans 8:38-39, we have some idea of just how much our “God of Love” cares for us. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Then verses 38-39; “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
That message alone is powerful even with our limited understanding. God knew from the moment of the first sin that He would have to provide a pathway for us that otherwise would not be available. Genesis 3:15; “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
God was telling Satan that He would come between the devil and all his demons with a part of Himself that would gain the final victory. Satan has tried to destroy any good that the Father ever provided, even to the point of “tempting” the Son of God in the wilderness. When Jesus rose from the dead after having lived a sin-free life here, Satan’s fate was sealed. His sinless blood reached back to the beginning of creation for all who had lived in the will of the Father, and it will reach all the way from Calvary to the end of the Millennial Reign of Jesus for those who received and accepted Him as their Savior.
Please note, this does not mean all “perfect, sinless” people, as no other earth-born human has ever been or ever will be without sin. Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23 cover this very well. God has provided a clear pathway through Jesus that is straight and narrow, and all who belong to Him will be saved. He even provided a resolution for all our sins right up to the moment we take our last breath on this earth (1 John 1:8-10.)
All who reject the Savior will not have eternity with Him. They will have a miserable eternity with Satan and all his demons. There will be no beauty to look at as the Lake of Fire will be in complete darkness. In spite of what false prophets are proclaiming, there are no other options available.
All who receive and accept Jesus will become a part of His precious flock. Our eternity will be completely beautiful in the “Light” that will be provided by our Savior. He provided this gift for us and paid our passage in full for it. Our total “cost” is to admit we are sinners in need of a Savior, believe in our hearts that Jesus is the only Savior possible (John 14:6), and confess and call out to the Lord to be saved. To add anything to this, or to think any of this can be earned or bought is a complete insult to Him.
What we can do is honor our Savior by living for Him. No, we will not be perfect; and yes, we will still slip and sin. However, once we have received His gift and have “opened” or accepted it, we belong to Him. Satan will try to convince you otherwise, but know that God’s Word is true as Romans 8:1 states; “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
In 1918, William Golden wrote a song called “A Beautiful Life.” Please consider the words.
1.) Each day I’ll do a golden deed by helping those who are in need. My life on earth is but a span, and so I do the best I can.
Ref) Life’s evening sun is sinking low; a few more days and I must go to meet the deeds that I have done, where there will be no setting sun.
2.) To be a child of God each day, my light must shine along the way. I’ll sing His praise while ages roll, and strive to help some troubled soul.
3.) The only life that will endure is one that’s kind and good and pure. And so, for God, I’ll take my stand; each day I’ll lend a helping hand.
4.) I’ll help someone in time of need, and journey on with rapid speed. I’ll help the sick and poor and weak, and words of kindness to them speak.
5.) While going down life’s weary road, I’ll try to lift some traveler’s load. I’ll try to turn the night to day; make flowers bloom along the way.
Just by watching world events today and seeing the changes taking place that we would not have thought possible just a few years ago, this should tell us that Bible Prophecy is 100% accurate and right on time. Evil is running amuck, and all the so-called “letter” people are trying to say that the Bible is not relevant for this modern age. All the “abominations” that God said He hates are out in the open, and anyone speaking against the ones abusing them is called a “hater.”
Our Jesus commanded us to love everyone for their eternal souls, and with this, I have no problem. However, He did not say we have to “love” their evil ways and abominations, nor are we to participate in them. Even Jesus had issues with the religious leaders of His day and all the false teaching they were doing.
Our goal is to pray for all to open their hearts to the Savior and be led by the Holy Spirit. Those who don’t will be a part of the Revelation 20:11-15 judgment at the Great White Throne. That is the one where everyone is guilty, and there are no pardons or reprieves.
As the song says, if we can help to bring a soul to the Savior, just think what “A Beautiful Life” they will face. And think how our souls will be joyful for this all through eternity.
Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!