My favorite secular book is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. I have watched almost every movie
made from the book, along with every movie that is some sort of “take” on the premise of the book. I
think we are all pretty familiar with that premise of the book: A grouchy old miser is shown his past,
present, and future and, upon the realization of the results….he becomes a changed man.
I came to realize some time ago that the story is an almost perfect representation of a lost person who
becomes saved. Ebenezer Scrooge is shown his sin and the results of that sin by certain spirits. He
realizes he is a bad person, confesses that fact, repents of his actions, and receives “salvation”. Isn’t that
how God works in the life of one who is lost? He shows a person their sin, convicts them of their
responsibility, upon realizing the results of such action, a person confesses, repents, and is saved.
The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, as an allegory to salvation, shows each of us hope. Scrooge was a misery,
hateful, selfish person and people literally hated him for it. Yet even he came to the realization that
there was hope. Here is that moment in the book where we are shown that there is hope for even the
worst of us: “The Spirit pointed from the grave to him, and back again. ‘No, Spirit! Oh, no, no!’ The
finger was still there. ‘Spirit!’ he cried, tight clutching at his robe, ‘hear me! I am not the man I was. I will
not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse! Why show me this, if I am past all hope!’”
One of the candles we light in our Advent Wreath symbolizes hope. Even for the worst of humanity,
Jesus brings hope. No matter the sin, no matter the distance from God, there is always hope. Pray that
during this season when people are searching for, and celebrating, the “spirit of Christmas”, that they
are touched by the true “Spirit of Christmas”, the Holy Spirit. The conviction of sin, the confession and
repentance of sin is absolutely why Christmas happens at all!
Say good things about your Savior and about His church here in Bluff Park.
Bro. Tony
made from the book, along with every movie that is some sort of “take” on the premise of the book. I
think we are all pretty familiar with that premise of the book: A grouchy old miser is shown his past,
present, and future and, upon the realization of the results….he becomes a changed man.
I came to realize some time ago that the story is an almost perfect representation of a lost person who
becomes saved. Ebenezer Scrooge is shown his sin and the results of that sin by certain spirits. He
realizes he is a bad person, confesses that fact, repents of his actions, and receives “salvation”. Isn’t that
how God works in the life of one who is lost? He shows a person their sin, convicts them of their
responsibility, upon realizing the results of such action, a person confesses, repents, and is saved.
The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, as an allegory to salvation, shows each of us hope. Scrooge was a misery,
hateful, selfish person and people literally hated him for it. Yet even he came to the realization that
there was hope. Here is that moment in the book where we are shown that there is hope for even the
worst of us: “The Spirit pointed from the grave to him, and back again. ‘No, Spirit! Oh, no, no!’ The
finger was still there. ‘Spirit!’ he cried, tight clutching at his robe, ‘hear me! I am not the man I was. I will
not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse! Why show me this, if I am past all hope!’”
One of the candles we light in our Advent Wreath symbolizes hope. Even for the worst of humanity,
Jesus brings hope. No matter the sin, no matter the distance from God, there is always hope. Pray that
during this season when people are searching for, and celebrating, the “spirit of Christmas”, that they
are touched by the true “Spirit of Christmas”, the Holy Spirit. The conviction of sin, the confession and
repentance of sin is absolutely why Christmas happens at all!
Say good things about your Savior and about His church here in Bluff Park.
Bro. Tony