Gift of Salvation

by Bob McDowell, Contributing Author: Coming to this Monday of the last full week of the "Year of our Lord" 2015, according to the 'Gregorian Calendar,' it seems appropriate that one slow down and reflect on the many blessings that the whole human race can enjoy. Of course, it is also a blessing that we have been given, by our Creator, the freedom to accept or reject the benefits of these myriad blessings. It is up to us to use our hearts and minds to arrive at the decision that will have a major effect on our well being from this point on, forever!

From my perspective, the celebration known as Christmas has been somewhat subverted by those more interested in commercial profit, anti-Christian purposes, or a tendency toward personal pleasure and satisfaction. We have seen stores setting up their decorations and displays even before we have stopped to render our thanks on Thanksgiving Day. Major "Christmas" light displays have been turned on ahead of Thanksgiving, (my minimal ones have not). Then there are those who find the words 'Merry Christmas' offensive and seem to have taken offense over hearing them spoken or seeing them printed to the extent of 'protesting them or filing law suits.

In my life time, I have not witnessed a believing Christian raise an objection over the observances of such times of those of the Jewish Faith. Nor have practicing Christians to my knowledge ever raised objections to any of the 'holy time' observances of Islam, Hindu, or any other of the religions of the World. Yet we see objections almost daily not only in the USA but also in other mainly Christian. We see again in the world, the practice of former centuries by the followers of Islam destroying religious artifacts and structures following their taking control of the area involved.

The observance of Christmas is, or should be a time, for us who follow Jesus of Nazareth who we believe is the Jewish long awaited 'Messiah' or Christ, to slow down our daily pursuits and reflect on what a gift HIS birth and life has been to us. He has been, as prophesied in 'scripture' over 150 times, a great light to the World. Under the original law, as laid down in the Torah, or to us 'Old Testament', sin must be offset by death, in their case the deaths of substitute animals.

However, when GOD, in Jesus, came down to live amongst those of that time, he willingly gave up his life, as the substitute for us, so our sins past, present, or future could be and have been forgiven. This gift remains available to those who accept His free gift of salvation.

In recent decades, we have been witnessing a resurgence of aggressive Islam by followers of a belief from the writings of their 'prophet' Mohammed, who lived about 600 years after Jesus was crucified and raised form the dead. Islam is a major religion that demands acceptance and obedience under penalty of death or slavery.

My wish at this time is for everyone to slow down and enjoy the wonder of the season. If a person has not discovered the benefits we enjoy in our Christian faith, please feel free to inquire and learn. No one will pressure you, especially with threats, to accept the gift offered by our savior that can be freely accepted or rejected by any person.

May the GOD I worship richly bless and protect you and yours now and through the coming year. Merry CHRISTmas!
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Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. is a retired Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative activist and member of the Oklahoma Republican Assembly. He Contributes opinion and commentary articles to the ARRA News Service.

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