therefore i consider all your precepts to be right; i hate every false way. [psalm 119:128]

 

there are so many ways that we can celebrate Christmas. at our lot family christmas celebration, we talked about a few traditions we keep on our own or with our family. we talked about traditions we held to in our families growing up that we don’t necessarily continue today but look back on with fond memories. we heard from younger couples who are forming new traditions to make new memories for their kids. so many ways.

 

some of these ways are Christ honoring, God glorifying, walking in the Spirit kind of ways. and every other way is a false way. nothing is neutral. there’s no “just letting the thing be the thing.” we either do things to the glory of God, or we do things to the glory of ourselves. there is no middle ground. our Savior didn’t die for middle ground.

so, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. give no offense to jews or to greeks or to the church of God, just as i try to please everyone in everything i do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. [1 cor 10:31]

and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. [col 3:17]

 

do all to the glory of God. do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. God’s word does not leave room for neutrality in our thoughts and actions, because Christ has purchased all of us! praise God for purchasing us with the blood of his Son!

we all are undoubtedly guilty of keeping Christmas traditions or even just Christmas habits or patterns to the glory of ourselves or the glory of our families (which is a reflection of ourselves). some of these things (we know what they are) cannot glorify God, and his holiness demands that we give them up. with others, his jealousy demands that we allow him to redeem them, no longer doing them for our own glory, but for his.

we can only do this in Christ Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, by the grace of God. please, please, don’t hand over false ways out of obligation or for any merit of your own. our Savior didn’t purchase us out of guilt or begrudging obligation, but out of his own mercy, kindness, steadfast love and joy. he wants deep satisfaction for us. satisfaction in being children of the Most High God. so let’s lay down false ways, because that’s who we already are in him!

 

~arwen eastman