Cody's Corner: Jesus can set you free this Christmas

by Cody Biby

In Isaiah 9:2, we read: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.”

This a beautiful verse that prophesies the coming of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

It is echoed in Matthew 4:12-16. Jesus being the light is one of my favorite metaphors in the Bible. Just think for a moment how comforting it is that He is a light shining out in the darkness. If you have ever been lost or traveling in the dark, you know how comforting it is to see a light somewhere in the distance.

That light means life! That light is a reason to keep going and not to give into thoughts of hopelessness or despair anymore. Walking in the dark can be dangerous even if it is just in your own house. It is especially dangerous if you have little kids that love to leave their Legos out.

There is pain, and then there is the step on a Lego. I beg you and anyone else you know to stop walking in the darkness if you do not know Jesus as your Savior. You are going to keep getting hurt and walking in pain, shame, and regret until you step into His marvelous light.

The Word of God tells us what keeps us from going into the Light is that we love the darkness as a result of our actions being evil. A lot of the times we stop at John 3:16 and do not read to verse 21.

Here, we read: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be plainly seen what they have done has been done in God.”

If you do not believe in Jesus Christ as Savior of the World, then you have missed the whole point of Christmas. Where do you get your hope, peace, joy or love from? Are they not empty wells and temporary pleasures? Did the angel tell the Shepherds in Luke Chapter Two that unto you was born a great teacher? Or a good man? Or a good philosopher?

Did they say that you could believe what you want about him? No! They said in Luke 2:10-11: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be to ALL people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord.” If you believe in Jesus Christ, you will be saved.

Welcome to the land of light! I know that you will be filled with overflowing joy to step out of the shadow of death. Say goodbye to pain, shame, regret and guilt. For now, you are washed clean, healed by His stripes, accepted, reconciled and innocent.

You can say with John the Baptist, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” I can tell you from personal experience it is a less stressful, more peaceful, infinitely loving, abundant life in the light and out of the darkness. No more hiding, no more lying, no more living for self, and no more living enslaved to sin and what I thought made me happy.

This can be true for you as well. I always tell people I counsel that I can help them stay free of addictions, but I am not the one that can set them free. That is the job of a Savior, and all glory and honor goes to Jesus Christ. I tell them that the chains of pain, shame, regret and anything else holding them captive can be broken by the Chainbreaker.

His name is Jesus Christ. I say that they do not need to be worried about how dirty, yucky or gross they feel or see themselves because the Living Water will wash them as white as snow.

Have you been washed by the blood of the Lamb? The only family you need to worry about is if you are in the family of God. Are you a son or daughter of God? Are you watching and waiting for the bridegroom to come back? The only part of your name you need to worry about is if your name is written in the Book of Life. Is your name in the Book? If you answered no to any of these questions, please come talk to me or any of the ministers listed below on this page.

It is amazing that the Light, the Way, the Bread of life, the Living Water, and the great I Am, started His earthly life as a baby born in Bethlehem. A light shined out in the darkness, and on those living in the shadow of death a light dawned. He still is doing that today!

There is no reason to fear, and no reason to stay in darkness. Merry Christmas! I hope you take time to reflect on the reason for the season. Glory to God in the Highest! There was a Savior born.