God’s perfect gift – ‘A Son’

21.DEC.07

by Archbishop Cosmore Pompey of the Spiritual Baptist Church

In many and various ways, God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.

As we revisit the prophetic promise of the birth of the Messiah, we are once again taken back to the reason for the season, God’s perfect Gift to us, “A Son”. Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign; “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel” Isaiah 7:14. The angels also echoed similar sentiments to Mary, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.{{more}} Therefore, that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” St. Luke 1:35.

It is now more than two thousand years since God gave to us a Son that he promised will save us from our sins; yet he was despised and rejected; he came unto his own and they received him not, but as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God.

Christmas is a time of reflection. Let us examine where we are and decide our destiny. If we are truly Sons of God, then let us please our heavenly Father.

When Jesus left the water after baptism, the spirit of God descended on him as a dove. A voice from Heaven was heard saying, “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Can the same be said of us who are called Sons of God? I leave you to do some soul searching.

Pleasing his Father went beyond his baptism, for he was obedient even unto the death of the cross; he took our place, for we should have been crucified, yet he was willing to bring us into his family. When he saw his mother and the disciples standing whom he loved, he said unto her, “Woman behold thy Son”. Remember he loves us, so let us accept him now.

During this year, we have encountered many challenges and had our successes and failures. We continue as a church to fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS and condemn stigma and discrimination, crime, violence or any act of immorality. We sharpen our weapons individually and collectively and ask those who carry the weapon of malice, hatred unforgiveness and destruction and such to put them down and take up the weapon of prayer so we can be better able to fight the enemies. Remember, we wrestle not against flesh and blood.

We must not cease to thank God for another calm hurricane season and surviving the worst from the recent earthquake and realizing there was a message in it for all of us, that is, to be physically and spiritually prepared.

As we approach the New Year, let us see where we have come short of the Glory of God and how God can use us to advance his kingdom. His mercies are new every morning and his blessings are in abundance.

To all Spiritual Baptists, I look forward to your unending support in the New Year as we carry on the gospel of Christ; thanks for your prayer.

My wife Mona, children and the Archdiocesan Council join me in wishing all at home and in the Diaspora a blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2008.