A Christmas question: "With whom is God pleased?"

" 'And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!' " -Luke 2:12-14

The 2 questions that jumps off the page at me are first "why is this statement made in the presence of an infant?" and second, "with whom is God pleased? With me?"

"With whom is God pleased?!?!?!?!?" Is he pleased by my helping some stranger jump start their car last week, or by me hosting my family last weekend, maybe the God of the universe is pleased with me because I somehow manage to carry the title of "pastor" in my job description? WRONG! Maybe He's pleased with me because of my selfish attitude towards my wife, or my frustrated responses towards people, maybe the God of the universe has no reason to be pleased with me! or does He? With whom O God are you pleased?!?!!?

The answer that sinks into my heart melts the very prideful thoughts of the original question: A cross on Calvary, God in human form, blood on my behalf and righteousness imputed to me. The God of the universe would be please with those who trust in Jesus Christ and have surrendered their lives to Him, The God-Man entering into human history to reveal to the world the plan of God to place the sin of all mankind on the back of the sinless One that we would not live by our righteousness but by His! So with whom is God truly please? Jesus! By whom have my sins been paid? Jesus! What righteousness gains me favor? Jesus'! Who reconciles men to God? Jesus!

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24

"And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." -1 Corinthians 1:30

This Christmas season I plead with you all to remember this: Jesus Christ was born into the world so that God might be pleased with you because when you place your faith in Him no longer does God see your righteousness but He sees that of the Son. Therefore, God can and will be pleased with you by nothing you have done, but by He in whom you trust. With whom is God pleased? With those who've met His Son.

This post can also be viewed at www.dbcstudents.org.