Words by our Priest-in-Charge:

The Ultimate Promise

“For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end…” (Isaisah 9:5-7a)

As we enter into Advent season and remember the coming of the Saviour of the world, Jesus, we also sing those heartwarming carols. One of those prophecies in the Old Testament which pointed to the birth of the Messiah, of which we sing during Christmas, is found in the book of Isaiah, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…”. This is the greatest Promise God has given to us. It is an ultimate solution to the problem of mankind, addressing the very root of our problems – sin. It was brilliantly planned and executed with precision in  every sense of the word. Isaiah also aptly described the attributes of the Messiah  “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

At Christmas, we often remember all the nice bits about the coming of the King of Kings. The context of this prophecy is Isaiah seems to tell us that the increase of the government of the Messiah will not be without conflict. There will be head on collision between the kingdom of God and Kingdom  of the World whose ruler is Satan. Those of us who belong to Jesus can be assured that our victory has been won by the Messiah on the Cross. However, we need to be mindful of the reality of the conflict between the 2 kingdoms on earth. These kingdoms are spiritual in nature and therefore not bounded geographically or physically. The boundaries of these 2 kingdom are in man’s heart, in our responses to the words of God. The line is drawn between those who would allow the flesh to run their life or those yield to the Holy Spirit. “the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8)

God’s ultimate promise to us was intended to bring ultimate blessing to us. We could only enter into this blessing of living in God’s presence and under the covering of His wings if we are within the Kingdom of Jesus. As we remember the birth of the Savior this Christmas, let us make conscious choice, always, to yield to the Lordship of King Jesus and the leading of the Holy spirit. Let us pursue “life and peace” as God has intended for us. The ultimate promise deserves the ultimate act of faith – surrendering out whole being to Jesus.