Salvation

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. 

Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:67-79)

Let’s consider: “…you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins…”  Salvation occurs when our sins are forgiven.  Those who are forgiven no longer dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.  Their feet have been guided into the way of peace with those against whom they have sinned.  

This day before Christmas we all go before the Lord to prepare his way by forgiving those who have trespassed against us.  Without having given that forgiveness and having shown mercy, the Lord will be born on Christmas Day with no stars above – just gloomy, dark skies and below which we are downcast people with hands that hate us.  That is not salvation.  That is damnation!

Deacon David Pierce