Throughout the story of creation in Genesis 1, we repeatedly read that “God said.” Each time that we do, the actual words that God spoke then produced the specific results that He wanted. The emphasis in Chapter 1 is on the creative power of God’s Word as being sufficiently great to produce the physical universe in accordance with God’s perfect will. To reflect the greatness of God’s powerful ability to produce all that He desires, God is referred to throughout all of Chapter One as that which He is:  He is God.   

But the creation account of mankind, as it is told in Genesis 2:7, is different. It says this:

—the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, making him a living being.

According to an online Strong’s concordance, the Hebrew word translating as breath is neshamah, meaning “puff i.e. Wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration…” It comes from the root word nasham:  “gasp;… properly, to blow away, i.e. Destroy – destroy.”

When God puffed His life into man, it was indeed vital—necessary to man’s existence. But “blow away… destroy?” What could life have possibly destroyed?

Consider this:  Death. Life destroys death

The moment man first received life from God, the eternal existence of Jesus already assured the everlasting continuation of that life by Jesus’ willingness to give His own. The right doing that flows eternally from the right relationship of Jesus with the Father would be the overcoming factor that puts every evil out of sight forever by putting everything beneath the feet of Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 15:25-27).

God also certified the everlasting quality of life that is self-defined by its resurrection power in Jesus. Then, in choosing to share even greater abundance of the good life that comes from God, the Holy Spirit came to Earth to dwell in those who would willingly accept God’s Gift of everlasting life in Jesus. The life-giving Presence of God within reborn men and women would be phenomenal, giving unprecedented assurance of God’s goodness to all.

So, as life is given onlyby means of God’s free will decision to share the good life that self-exists in Him, individuals who rightly choose to trust God must have faith in Jesus. The goodness of God that Jesus clearly reveals is always aboveboard for all to personally fully see and believe. Thereby the underhanded deceptiveness of evil is overcome with forthright Truth.

That is divinely inspired justice, is it not? Now, every time that we who have been made alive in Christ Jesus rightly speak forth God’s words, our exhale shares a little more of the God-given life that is in us with others. In choosing to freely give as we have been given, we further extend God’s goodness, doing further good for all. Every time that we speak the Truth of God’s good grace into any situation, we put a little more of evil’s rebelliousness in its right place:  beneath the feet of Jesus.

God’s neshamah chayyim—divinely inspired “breath of life”—is eternally that. The gasp associated with it, according to the definition at the beginning of this piece, is undoubtedly no less than the sound made by individuals who suddenly realize the enormity of the grace and Truth of God that Jesus reveals. Former wrong thinking is blown away, destroying a little more evil in the process. And God accomplishes it all His way—the right way: through right belief in the goodness of God.

Who but God would ever have rightly thought that all out?

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How could the celebration of the birth of one small babe cause so much ruckus on Earth for thousands of years beyond the time of the birth itself? How could the gift of so much loving-goodness, enveloped in one small child, be controversial or taken nonchalantly by any individual, even from the moment of the child first being delivered into human hands? The answer lies in the words of the babe Himself, spoken some thirty-three years after His birth, as He hung upon a cross, delivering the message that had been entrusted to Him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

The problem, declared so by God, has been evident since mankind’s beginning: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) Men’s lack of comprehension has always been the issue that has led men to deviate from Godly living and separate themselves from God and life, as well as from one another.

But before God ever commanded time to begin, He provided the antidote needed to counteract man’s sinfulness and assure permanent reconciliation. He provided forgiveness.

Forgiveness is the gift that the child carried within His life to later hand over to a hurt and dying world via His death and resurrection. But forgiveness did not arrive alone. It was wrapped in the love that had made the decision to allow grace to give it away and for mercy to make room for it to be received. It came with peace of mind that drove out fear and with joy that superseded worldly concerns. It came in a kind and gentle Spirit.

But foremost, forgiveness arrived with humility leading the way. In the child, God lowered Himself to the position of a man to freely share His life with others. Forgiveness exalted selflessness above all.

So, why all the turmoil over a gift that is so good? Because men must purposefully bow down by their own volition to meet the child eye-to-eye in humbleness of their own, acknowledging their need for all that He embodies. The turmoil remains in those who simply refuse to see their way clear to do so. Pride is the self-centered force that denies forgiveness that has freely been given.

With each new day, we each have new opportunity to live in acceptance of God’s forgiveness, choosing to forgive all others all wrongs. God has shown us how, reminding us that “his compassion [merciful loving-kindness] is new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:23) So then should ours too be; otherwise, we refuse to further advance the life that forgiveness gives. But instead, we keep ourselves and others bound to debts that can never be paid.

While the Child Jesus carried forgiveness’ potential, the Man Jesus had to choose to use it. So must we all.

In choosing forgiveness as a way of life, we give priority to freedom, setting everyone free from past mistakes and current condemnation. It also allows for future course adjustments to be made, as we live and learn alongside one another in agreement with God. With forgiveness paving the way, doors open to new possibilities beyond worldly comprehension. Just look at Jesus. He couldn’t be anywhere better than where He is right now and forevermore: honored by all at His Father’s right hand. It is only in forgiving all that Jesus gained everything of lasting significance, proving that forgiveness is timeless. It just keeps on giving itself away to no end.

So, in the end, what we reminisce about the most may not matter nearly as much as what we choose not to recall at all. By holding no offense against anyone, not even ourselves or God, we give everlasting acceptance to everyone.

May the peace and joy of total forgiveness fill your holiday and every day.

Merry Christmas
Cathy Scott, 2014

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