Dr. Lloyd-Jones has a wonderful book "Expository Sermons on 2 Peter" which were given shortly after World War II. The first chapter begins with 2 Peter 1: 1-3.
"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" 2 Peter 1:1-3
In this chapter he asks the question, "What is the Gospel?" and he comments as follows:
"The very centre of the Gospel is Jesus Christ, and there is no Gospel apart from Him."
"There are many movements in the modern world that are exhorting people to believe in God and to surrender to God, but I think you will find that in many of them the name of Jesus is never mentioned. They advocate and teach a belief in God; they preach a message that urges people to submit themselves to God; but Jesus Christ is not central, Jesus Christ is not essential. There is no talk about Christ.... To believe in God alone is not enough to make us Christian, to have a general belief in God as Creator and God as Father is not in itself Christian. Peter cannot keep away from the name of Jesus Christ. Christ is there in the very centre and forefront of the picture, in the very salutation and introduction. He shows us what is the very essence of the Christian faith: it is none other than the Person of Jesus Christ Himself."
"The message which the apostles preached round their world was simply that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was none other than the only begotten Son of God, and that He had come on earth for one thing only, and that was that He might bear the sins of man Himself. In Christ God has dealt with the sin of mankind; He has punished sin there, he has done away with it."
"How can man be right with God? Believe that, submit yourself to it, and say: 'I have no righteousness of my own. I accept the righteousness that God gives me in Christ. I am unworthy and sinful, but I can be clothed in the righteousness of Christ; and clothed with that I can stand and face God and the righteousness of God.' That is the essence of the Christian faith."
"The Christian church , therefore, has in this modern world to tell men that they cannot save themselves, that all their efforts and exertions will end in utter futility, but that God has done something in Christ. He has made a new way of righteousness - 'the righteousness of God' - by faith. God tells me that here is the way to get rid of sin and its guilt and power: here is a new nature and a new life and positive righteousness. God is offering a way back to Himself in and through Jesus Christ and Him crucified - that is the nature of faith."
So, as we celebrate Christmas, may we remember the Truth that we celebrate. That without God the Father giving us His Son, born of the virgin Mary, in such a lowly and humble fashion; without Jesus' birth, sinless life, atoning death and resurrection - we would still be lost. Eternally lost. Forever under the wrath and condemnation of a Holy and Righteous God. Never to have His countenance shine upon us in love, for this gift has been given to us only "through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
Praying that you all will have more than just a Merry Christmas - may you all truly know Jesus Christ whom Christmas celebrates.
