"But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.'"
Matthew 1:20,21 (HCSB)
Despite the protests and objections of many, the virgin birth is still a non-negotiable issue in Christianity. The virgin birth is of primary importance; this is not a teaching where we can simply agree to disagree. We must be of one mind and heart concerning the biblical narrative describing the birth of Jesus, a narrative steeped in the supernatural. As you consider the virgin birth, consider the following:
*Salvation is from Heaven to Earth, not from Earth to Heaven. In other words, it has its origin with God; salvation is initiated by Him. Apart from God's intervention through Jesus Christ, we would be hopeless and helpless. But because of Christ, we are neither.
*The unfolding story itself is a testament to the fact that God honors His word. What He declares will come to pass, just as He says. And that will never change!
*God, through the work of His Spirit, protects the person of Christ from inherited sin. Because of this, His righteousness may be imputed to me, and my sin to Him. If Jesus inherits the sin of Adam, then His death is meaningless, as insignificant as me dying for you or you dying for me. But because of the virgin birth, God ensures that Christ will be the sacrifice to atone for the sins of man. Truly, thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!
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