What is more important?
by Ian Coates
It is very apparent that as we approach Christmas many people will be caught up with the excesses of our consumer society. We will be giving and receiving gifts which we don’t really need and trying to recycle the unwanted gifts from last year on to some unsuspecting relative this year. Certainly in the West we have more than our needs and yet our society cries out for more. We seem to have developed insatiable appetites and we crave for more of what we already have in abundance!
In John 10:10 Jesus says ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ At this time of year, when we celebrate His coming to earth, isn’t it more important that we rejoice in the fact that we can have eternal life, rather than in the world’s standards of acquiring more for our stomachs and extra clothes for the wardrobe?
Jesus told us not to worry about these things but the world is telling us the opposite and many will be going into debt in order to meet the world’s standards and ‘keep up with the Joneses’. I remember many times seeing young children have more interest in the wrapping paper than the gift inside or seeing children discard an expensive toy even before they return to school. Our values need to be based on a good foundation otherwise we will be making choices that are going to be of little worth and not stand the test of time.
In these days when we see the increase of sin and terror in the world it’s good to remind ourselves that ‘where sin increased, grace increased all the more’ (Romans 5:20) and that ‘of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end’ (Isaiah 9:7). Therefore we needn’t revert to the world’s ways of comfort eating or buying things to satisfy our carnal natures, or those of others, but we should do what’s right in God’s sight.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your most precious gift of Your only Son. I thank You, Jesus, that You gave Your life for us and that You didn’t leave us alone but sent another the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter. I ask you to give me wisdom at this time of year that I may see what is worldly conduct and that I may recognise that which is Your plan and purpose for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Ian Coates Ian has served with Ellel Ministries since its inception. He is part of the Executive Leadership team and is Centre Director at Ellel Grange, where the team will soon be hosting the nine week Flagship School. His sensitive but direct teaching helps people to face the real issues in their lives without feeling they are being pressurised or condemned.
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