Christmas is a time when most Christians spend extra time reflecting on the gift of God humbling Himself to become a man [Jesus] in the flesh. Yet, there are many who do not believe that Jesus was/is God manifest in the flesh. How was that possible—that Jesus could be both 100% man and 100% God? No one can really explain it, or even why God would do such a thing. Yet, most Christians can quote John 3:16 without understanding what it really means: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Why did God “pay” our debt?
God gave of Himself so that you and I would not perish—that is, that we would not have to pay the price (an eternity in torment after physical death) for our sins from which we turn; that is repent. Sin creates a type of debt that cannot be wiped away with currency or good works. It’s only God, through the blood shed by Jesus at Calvary, by which our sin debt can be wiped away… feed the church of God, which he [God] hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28 However, we humans cannot understand the miracle of having our sins totally wiped away with only the personal price of turning from sin and turning to God’s way of living. Yes, all the horrific wrongs we’ve done, and the unnumbered sins committed by all people since the entrance of Adam and Eve into the Garden of Eden, have been prepaid by God. These were all paid for by God when He chose to humble himself to become a human (to become clothed with flesh) and put Himself under the influence of the creation that HE created (through Jesus). Yet, we must not forget that man is given the free-will choice to follow the precepts in the Bible or to follow other gods and ways of living that the Bible tells us are sin.
How could this be?
We are succinctly told in the Bible how God made this possible. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23 How could anyone believe this statement which begins the New Testament; that is, that a woman, who must be a virgin, not only would become pregnant, but the child in her womb would be God Himself? He would be 100% human and 100% God. This birth could not involve conception between an earthly man and woman because sin is passed through the generations by the “seed” of man. Thus, this birth was a supernatural miracle from the Holy Ghost Who provided the “seed.” This was something not even Mary understood; but, she believed God: Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35
All this was foretold some 700 years prior to it happening. Not only were these facts foretold, but also foretold is where Jesus, as God manifest the flesh, would be birth (brought forth) into this world. That special foreordained place would be in Bethlehem—70 miles from where Joseph and Mary lived. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2 (Written sometime between 750-686 BC.)
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (Written 701-681 BC.) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
And how is it possible to believe that this “babe in the manger,” Who was sent forth from Heaven, has always been in existence? The answers are in the Bible. It takes faith to believe and that faith comes from studying, believing, and obeying the Word, the Bible. This act of Jesus being sent forth from Heaven is summarized in a vital word few understand, begotten. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son … John 3:16 Notice that it’s not God’s only son but His only BEGOTTEN son. Begotten means came from or sent forth from Heaven or from above.
It was the only BEGOTTEN Son Who was sent.
Many people have only sons but they do not have only begotten sons. Begotten distinctly describes only Jesus in the context of the writings of John in the gospel named John. This apostle contextually defines the word begotten some 50 times within his writings with repeated words, clauses, and phrases; especially those spoken by Jesus such as: … the Father which hath sent me … which cometh down from heaven… I am the living bread which came down from heaven … that the Father which hath sent me … he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven… Carefully read through the entire gospel of John and make note of such references which help to define the deity of Jesus Christ: He Who had no beginning. He was God manifest in the flesh: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Jesus succinctly states, as recorded by John, in John 10:30: … I and my Father are one. John 10:30
It was the work of the Holy Ghost Who prepared the body [the virgin Mary] through which Jesus would be conceived and birthed (God manifest in the flesh). This was told to Mary when she questioned how this could be possible: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:36 Mary believed the words of God. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word … Luke 1:38
It all happened as God had preordained it.
This all happened according to God’s timetable, His Word; that is, when the time came that two people, Joseph and Mary, had 
been made ready. That is, they had the faith, obedience, and discipline to allow this miracle in their lives—to believe and obey God. This was when God had everything and every person prepared: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman … Galatians 4:4 So much is involved in the statement … the fullness of time was come. God also had to get Joseph and Mary from where they lived in Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill the Old Testament prophesies. Thus, He had in place Caesar Augustus who declared a tax upon the people. This mandatory tax required that Joseph and Mary travel, in Mary’s late pregnancy, from Nazareth to Bethlehem. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
What about us today?
Are we prepared to allow the LORD to live within us—to change our lives forever? Do we believe that every Word of God is pure … as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times? Psalm 12:6-7 Do we believe that the Word (Jesus Christ) is as powerful today as It was when Joseph and Mary chose to believe God? Will we choose to be obedient; to let go of sin and the control it has on our lives and take hold of righteous living and faith and let God work miracles through our lives? Or, are we too busy with the cares of this world to spend time daily to get to know Jesus Christ—to study the Bible AS A WORKMAN (2 Timothy 2:15); to search out the Scriptures (John 5:39); to learn how to hear from Him and recognize His work in our lives?
Give the greatest gift—the Word.
Do you have friends or relatives that need your encouragement to read and to help them to study the Bible so they, too, can get to know Jesus—the only begotten son of God? Check out our website where we have many articles for self-study under the heading Teachings: www.RestorationOfTheFamily.org. There you will also find articles that can help those who want to study to understand the vital importance of KNOWING that you and your loved ones are saved. Do you KNOW, without a doubt, that you are saved—as confirmed by the Scriptures?
A gift is awaiting your response.
We have another publication that will help you in your study of the Bible. It will be published and should be ready for mail out the second week of January, 2025. If you would like a complimentary copy, please email us at RestorationOfTheFamily@gmail.com. Ask for your free copy of Family Feud and Your Part in The Book of Life. (For US Postal address only and as supplies last.)
Please let us know if you need prayer, have questions, or would like to be added to our periodic email teachings.
In Christ’s Service,
Judith Brumbaugh
President/Founder
Restoration Of The Family, Inc.
www.RestorationOfTheFamily.org
RestorationOfTheFamily@gmail.com
RFI, PO Box 621342; Oviedo, FL 32762-1342
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