By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Romans 5:1-5, 8 (NKJV)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This time of year is one of my favorites, as it is for Christians worldwide. For us, it is one of two of the most sacred times of the year. This is the season of Advent, the time leading up to the incarnation of Christ. The other sacred time is typically called Easter Sunday, the time we celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the grave, or more accurately, Resurrection Sunday.
The Advent season, which in Latin means coming, also gives me the opportunity to share the significance of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas day. Each Sunday represents something unique to the incarnation of Christ and is demonstrated with four candles, one lit on each Sunday before Christmas day. As we anxiously anticipate His coming, we light the candles of hope, preparation, joy, and love. When the much-anticipated event finally arrives, the Christ candle is lit to remind us that the Light of the world has come into the world through “the love of God [that] has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
The experience of a world-wide pandemic, unprecedented political shenanigans, even the reemergence of social injustice cannot defeat the unconquerable love that has been so graciously given to us. It is a love not taught as a theological curriculum but a personification of eternal love. The text shows how love vindicates, grants peace, and gives access to eternal life through faith in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It encourages believers not to be overwhelmed by the circumstances of life, but to overcome their troubles through perseverance; and beyond perseverance, we are to let it shape our character; and from character, allow it to sustain our hope. Our hope assures us that we are heirs to an unconquerable love.
The scripture also reminds us that we are not worthy of this unconditional and unconquerable love. This love, the scripture tells us, has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and all those who believe are the recipients. It has been so graciously given to us; love personified! It was His choice, not our merit! We reek of unworthiness. The scripture says, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This season is a bold and beautiful reminder that hate cannot stop His unconquerable love, politics cannot prevent it, and diseases cannot disrupt it. His Advent is the embodiment of the marvelous Light that has come into the world. Love has been lavished on us for no other reason than His love for us. What joy it is to know that the Lord has given us unconquerable love.
Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; and creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen on Matters of Faith on Facebook LIVE.
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