Who is wise?

Who is wise?
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  
Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18.
James here contrasts earthly wisdom with Heavenly wisdom. He notes that bitterness and selfish ambition do not come from God.
Wisdom that comes from God is “pure peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Individuals who possess this kind of wisdom according to James, “sow in peace and raise a harvest of righteousness.” 
If we claim to be believers in Christ Jesus then we must take a look at our lives. We must take a look at our actions and see if we are exhibiting wisdom from God.
If we are not then we need to make the changes immediately.
We must cry out to God in prayer, and ask Him to show us what we must do to live a life as close as possible to the ideal life He would have us live.
Please think about it.

Watch what you say

Watch what you say
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:2-10
   In a nutshell James states watch what you say. Your tongue can get you into trouble. All of us know this. There have been time in all our lives I’m certain when we have said the wrong thing at the wrong time and got ourselves in trouble.
In my previous blog post I noted James as saying,
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19.
As Christians we are ambassadors for Christ Jesus. We are His representatives on this earth therefore we should be careful about everything we do. Especially about what we say.
As believers in Christ Jesus we have an important responsibility given to us by Jesus himself, Jesus telling us
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
It is because of this command that we must control our tongue. It is because of this command that we must be careful as to what we say.
As someone has said
“A spotlight is on the life of anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ. People see Jesus through the lense of our life. Our words and deeds can just as easily bring a soul to Christ Jesus as turn them away.”
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus take time to look at your words and deeds today. Are they pointing someone to Jesus or turning them away?
Please think about it?

Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger

Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  James 1:19-22.
Here is something all Christians should think about. In my previous blog post I wrote about our faith needing to spur us to action. Such as feed the hungry, care for the sick, stand up for the oppressed.
As followers of Christ we must put our faith into action. At the same time we need to look inside ourselves. We need to ask God where we fall short. To show us how we can live better lives for Him.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”Billy Graham.
Billy Graham also said,
“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.” Billy Graham.
We as believers in Christ Jesus need to be careful as to who we listen to and what we do. It is very easy to let the ways of the world slip into our lives. It is very easy to mix secular values with Christian values. We must be aware of this.
To prevent mixing the worlds values with the values of our faith it is important that we pray daily and as often as we can. To spend time studying the Bible daily.
It is imperative we learn as much about the teaching of Jesus and the apostles as possible. For it only in doing so that we will be able to represent Christ Jesus in the proper way.
Please think about it.

Of Faith and Deeds

Of Faith and Deeds
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
As I write this January 1st 2018 is upon us. As a result I thought it appropriate that I write a little about the Christian life.
To be a Christian means more than believing by faith in Jesus Christ. It means more than evangelizing.
Being a follower of Jesus Christ is a way of life. As a follower of Christ we should be putting our faith in action.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.” Tony Campolo.
There is a famous prayer by Francis of Assisi that reads,

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; 

to be understood as to understand; 

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

                                                                                                 Francis of Assisi.

If you consider yourself a follower of Christ Jesus are you an instrument of God’s Peace? Are you showing God’s Love?
Please think about it.

Thoughts for the end of Year

Thoughts for the end of Year
Ben Zion Bokser wrote,
"I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation."
                     Ben Zion Bokser.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist wrote,

“I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.”

                                                                                   Billy Graham

Blaise Pascal wrote,

“It is incomprehensible that God should exist, 

and 

it is incomprehensible that he should not exist.” 

                                                             Blaise Pascal.

The Psalmist writes,

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

 the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language 

where their voice is not heard.” 

                                                 Psalm 19:1-3.

I believe in God it is that simple. I have faith that He exists. I as the writer of the Apostles creed puts it,

I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; 

That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost

I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

I believe in the resurrection of the body.

I believe in life everlasting

The choice for you the reader is simple do you believe in God or Not. There is no middle ground. The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Your Shepherd

Your Shepherd
The Psalmist writes,

The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

                                                                          Psalm 23

Is Jesus Christ the Shepherd of your life? The Lord of your life?
This time last year my wife and I had just come from visiting her sister Sheila. Sheila was suffering from terminal cancer that would claim her life by mid January. Not a very nice way some would say to end the old year and bring in the new year. And it may not have been were it not for the fact Sheila knew the Lord.
Sheila and my wife were not terribly close. Over the years she and we had moved around a lot. On top of everything Sheila had gone her own way and done her own thing. And frankly from time to time we had not see eye to eye. In fact her battles with the family in general were at times to say the least, intense.
Still she it was never enough to keep us apart. She was family and family was always welcome in our home and we in hers.
A few years before she received the cancer diagnosis things started to change in her life. She connected with God. She had made Jesus Lord of her life. God had become the Shepherd of her life, and her life truly began to change.
Sheila I believe had learned the meaning to what Jesus said,
Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy 

and my burden is light.”

                                              Matthew 11:28-30.

Never was this more noticeable than when we last saw her. She was truly a changed person. She was at peace with God and indeed all those around her.
It was evident to those around her that she knew exactly where she would be spending eternity.
While there were some tears at her passing as at any funeral. Those who knew Sheila were comforted by the fact she was in Heaven.
Question, Is Jesus the Lord of your life. Is God your Shepherd?
Have you found rest for your soul?
Please think about it.

He Knit me

He knit me

The Psalmist writes,

“For you created my inmost being;

 You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise You 

because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

Your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. 

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 

Your eyes saw my unformed body. 

All the days ordained for me were written in Your book 

before one of them came to be.” 

                                                      Psalm 139:13-16.

This portion of scripture is one I love. It tells be that God. The Creator of Heaven and Earth knows me intimately.
He knew me in my mother’s womb.
This scripture tells me he knows the very DNA that makes me what I am. For that I praise God!
For that I can cry out like the Psalmist when he said,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in is sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                             Psalm 150

As I write this New Years Eve is but a few days away here in Canada. And as I look back on the old year I can praise God for taking me through both the good times and the bad.
Can you?
Please think about it.

Life is Fleeting

Life is fleeting
Isaiah the prophet wrote,
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” 
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8.
General George Patton one of the greatest American generals of all time is reported to have said,
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. 
The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. 
A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting." Gen. George C. Patton.
Life is fleeting. We live for a handful of years then pass on. All our possessions going into the hands of others. All our accomplishments eventually forgotten.
I believe it is on the monument to the unknown soldier, a soldier that represents all dead soldiers they were unable to identify, that the words “Known only to God” are written.
One day that will be our fate. One day we will be laid to rest. Initially we will be remembered by family and friends. But as the years pass on our names and all we did no matter how important or great an achievement will be lost to time. Such is life.
That being said we will however be known to God. The question is will you be spending eternity with God?
John’s gospel quotes Jesus speaking of himself as giving us all a choice when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18
The apostle John speaking of Jesus states,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
The choice thus is yours.
Please think about it.
 

Hope

Hope
The apostle John writes about Jesus saying,
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:10-14.
As a believer in Christ Jesus now over four decades, I am still amazed that God would in the form of Jesus Christ enter this world he created. Not only that, he did this to point each individual toward heaven.
C. S. Lewis put it this way,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis. 
Jesus speaking of Himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
In Jesus there is hope for the individual no matter who he or she is. All have the opportunity to go to heaven.
We Christians believe it is impossible to live a life good enough to stand before a Holy God. No matter how good we may be there is always some sin in our life, and sin keeps us from God. To quote C. S. Lewis again,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
The apostle Paul writes,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
It is by God’s grace we get to heaven. Through belief in His one and Only Son.
As the apostle John wrote,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
Through Jesus Christ we have hope of eternal life with God. The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:5-8 
Do you have hope in your life? If not consider accepting Jesus into your life as your Saviour and Lord.
Life can be hard but having. It is however my experience that having Jesus in your life makes the hard times easier to go through.
Why not take a few minutes and pray and ask Jesus into your life today. Take time to pray something like this,
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe in you. I believe that you sent Jesus into this world to point me to you and to save me from my sins.
Please forgive my sins and come into my life today. Direct and lead me from this day on.
       Amen.
I must emphasise that this pray is no magic bullet. However if you have prayed it in spirit and in truth. God will enter your life and direct you. He will show you how to live a life worthy of Him.
The other thing I would suggest is that you start to read the Bible. Start in the New Testament and read what the writers said about Jesus.
Then if it is possible for you. Find a good church congregation to become a part of. As these blogs are read all over the world it’s hard for me to give the name of any one church.
That being said, Baptist churches are generally good wherever you are in the world. They base their faith firmly in the Bible.
If you live in Canada I also recommend the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada churches who also are firmly anchored in the Bible teachings.
Either way pray and ask God to direct you to a congregation that you like. Remember even within denominations not all congregations are alike. If you find you don’t like the first one you go to look around. That’s the nice thing about God he recognized individuals vary. That’s why there are as one pastor said, “many different flavour of church congregations all worshipping the same God in spirit and truth.”
Even if you have not made a commitment to Jesus I would ask if you give Jesus a chance. Read the New Testament and see for yourself what believers in Christ Jesus truly believe.
Please think about it.

God

God.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                                                    Genesis 1:1.

Today in Canada is Boxing day. The day after Christians celebrate the day God sent His one and Only Son into the world to save the world from their sins.
I know there are many who do not believe as Christians believe. That is their right. I know there are many people around the world that do not believe in the existence of God. That is their right.
Just because someone does not believe in God, does not mean He dose not exist. As C. S. Lewis put it in his book The Problem of Pain,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers and therefore has no need to do so. It simply makes the statement,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                                                    Genesis 1:1.

Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
What he says is true. It is because of the belief in God that we have the ten commandments. Basic rules for living not only for God, but living in harmony with ones fellow man. No Atheist group from ancient times to the present day has come up with a more complete set of rules.
Such rules are, I believe, written on the very hearts of all men from birth. Every person in the world whether they have read the Bible or not instinctively know what is right and what is wrong.
It is when men fail to recognize these basic laws that society starts to fall apart. The best example is the rise of the Nazis in Germany during the 1930's through to the end of world war two.
Hitler and his henchmen chose to live by their own rules. They legalized murder on an industrial scale. Killing in excess of twelve million in the gas chambers. They arrested people simply because they disagreed with them. They stole private property.
Their actions plunged the world into a war that would cost fifty-six million plus lives.
These men did not fear God, and when the fear of God is not there. When the fear that they will not be held accountable is taken away evil can run rampant.
The Psalmist tells us,
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;...” Psalm 111: 10a.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Ultimately however it is up to you the reader who must decide as to whether you believe in God or not.
Still I would ask you to consider this,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.
So before you place your wager, consider reading at least the New Testament. Learn what the writers believed about God and Jesus Christ.
Please think about it. 

We Christians Celebrate

We Christians Celebrate
December 25th

We Celebrate!

God’s Love for mankind.

We Celebrate

God’s Messiah!

The birth 

Of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Saviour of Mankind.

We celebrate

A Saviour!

A Saviour who died for us.

“You see, at just the right time,

when we were still powerless, 

Christ died for the ungodly”

                             Romans 5:6

We Celebrate,

“For God so loved the world

 that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him 

shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him. 

                                           John 3:16,17.

This is why we celebrate,

The Great Iconoclast

The Great Iconoclast
Napoleon the late emperor of France said,
“...can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory?...
Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.” Napoleon Bonaparte.
I entitled this article “The Great Iconoclast” loosely defined as “The great image destroyer.”
C. S. Lewis speaking of God said,
“My idea of God is not a divine idea. It has to be shattered time after time. He shatters it Himself. He is the great iconoclast “ C. S. Lewis.
Today is Christmas eve. A time believers in Jesus Christ celebrate His birth in a stable in Bethlehem. Not exactly where one would expect a king to be born.
Matthew’s gospel records,
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?    We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  
When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 
“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’’” 
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:1-12.
The birth of Jesus caused Herod to be afraid. Herod already had killed members of his family out of fear they would depose him. Now in his mind here was another enemy that was going to take his power away.
He was so afraid that Matthew later in his gospel tells how Herod ordered the death of all male children under the age of two in the area around Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
Herod like the religious leaders who apposed Jesus later in his life seen Jesus as a political threat.
Even the Jewish people who were under the Roman boot seen Jesus differently from what he was.
They were looking for a conquering Messiah. Someone who would use force to defeat the Romans and restore Israel to its glory.
God in sending Jesus shatters that idea. He sends Jesus as a suffering Messiah. One who would die for the sins of many. The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus this way,
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.
Herod had nothing to worry from Jesus. Nor did the religious leaders that opposed Jesus in his later life.
The people of Israel and indeed the world as a whole have everything to rejoice about. For the day Jesus was born Hope entered the world. The apostle Paul writes,
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:5-8.
On the day Jesus was born, God as C. S. Lewis called him, “The Great Iconoclast”, broke mankind’s image as to what a Messiah, a Saviour was all about.
God’s Messiah, Jesus, was not a mighty military worrier founding His empire on force. As Napoleon said,
“Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.
Please think about it.