The Price of Glory: Embracing the Light of Christ This Christmas
Bishop Leonard Chatham
Have you ever felt lost in the darkness, unsure of who you are or where you're headed? As we celebrate Christmas, it's the perfect time to reflect on how Jesus came as the light of the world to show us the way. Let me share with you some powerful truths about the price of glory and how embracing Christ's light can transform our lives.
The Light Enters a Dark World
In the Gospel of John, we read these profound words:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." (John 1:1, 10)
Imagine that - the very Creator of the universe entered His own creation, and yet He wasn't recognized. Why? Because the world was in darkness. But Jesus came to change all that. As I preached:
"The first thing you got to understand, two things happen when you're in the light. Light shows you what you are. And number two, light shows you where you are."
Jesus came to illuminate our true identity and show us the path forward. When we walk in His light, we gain clarity about who we are in Christ and where He's leading us.
The Price of Glory
Now, this light didn't come cheap. There was a price to be paid. As I explained in my sermon:
"Webster defines price [as] the sum of money or goods asked or given for something. But it also...means a reward offered for the capture or killing of a person. So what this means is, is that one day there was a summation made by the word of God that somebody had to either live or die."
Jesus willingly paid that price. He entered a world where the devil had Him on the "most wanted" list. But Christ came anyway, in the "full volume" of God's plan, to rescue us from darkness.
Jesus' Mission of Deliverance
In Luke 4:18, Jesus declares His mission:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised."
This is why He came - to deliver us from everything that holds us captive. Are you brokenhearted? Jesus came for you. Are you held captive by addiction or sin? Jesus came to set you free. Do you feel bruised by life's hardships? Jesus came to liberate you.
I put it this way in my sermon: "See, God is calling you...The object of it is, is that once you get called, no one can stop you. And that means that God just adds it to the family. Because what the devil don't realize is he can't kill what God has blessed."
The Glory Outweighs the Suffering
Now, following Jesus doesn't mean life will be easy. But as the Apostle Paul said:
"I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
In other words, when we tally up all we go through, it can't even compare to the glory God has in store. As I preached, "The suffering that I'm going through cannot compare to where I am right now. The reason why God brought you out of that is because he wants you to give him praise."
Making a Commitment to Christ
So here's where the rubber meets the road. Are you ready to fully commit your life to Jesus? Not just a New Year's resolution, but a true, lasting commitment. As I challenged my congregation:
"I'm calling for serious people that's ready to make a commitment to God. Not a commitment to me, but a commitment to God that you fixing to start doing what he told you to do."
This commitment might cost you some friendships. It might mean late nights in prayer. It will definitely mean pressing forward even when things get tough. But remember - the light of Christ is worth it all.
Putting It Into Practice
Here are some practical steps to embrace Christ's light this Christmas and beyond:
Take time daily to read God's Word and let it illuminate your path.
Commit to following Jesus wholeheartedly, even when it's difficult.
Be a light to others by sharing God's love and truth.
When you feel tempted to turn back, remember the price Jesus paid and keep moving forward.
Regularly thank God for bringing you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.
This Christmas, let's celebrate the true light that came into the world. As you embrace Christ's light, you'll discover who you really are and where God is leading you. The price has been paid - now it's time to walk in the glory.
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