"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
Now that the Christmas celebration is over and all the gifts are unwrapped, are you sure there isn't yet one gift left unopened? Perhaps it's still under the tree? Maybe it's been packed away somewhere to be opened another day far off in the future. Perhaps you didn't even know it was given?
Of what gift do I speak? It's truly the greatest gift ever given and, yes, it was given to you. The gift is that of God's only-begotten Son and the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting He won for all when He suffered and died upon the cross and then rose again on the third day. In fact, the whole Christmas holiday was to remember God's gift and how He was given to us as a Child born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem.
You know the Bible verse: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Or consider the message of the angel to the shepherds: "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10,11).
This gift of God, this Child born in Bethlehem, lived a sinless and holy life in our stead. And, He went to the cross and suffered and died for your sins, my sins and the sins of the whole world. He took our punishment and satisfied God's just anger against us. Because of Christ's sacrifice, God is appeased, justice is done and He reaches out to us with a heart full of forgiveness and love. He offers and extends to us forgiveness for all our sins and life everlasting in heaven – all for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ!
Yet, remarkably, this gift is left unopened by most. Even though we celebrate Christmas to commemorate Christ's birth, God's gift is left to set under the tree or is packed away for some other time, some other season. Instead of believing the message attached to it that the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin, makes us acceptable to God and gives us a place in His eternal kingdom (1 John 1:7; Eph. 1:6-7; John 14:1-6), most leave God's gift unopened, ignored and discarded – how sad and how tragic!
Unto you a Savior is born! He is Christ the LORD, God Himself in human flesh to redeem fallen mankind! This is the greatest gift ever given and a gift needed by every one of us. Don't neglect to open it. Don't just leave it setting there. Don't go on with life without taking hold of it and accepting it in faith. Believe the message. Rejoice in God's gift of mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus!
It is as the Bible says: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
Jesus and what He has accomplished for us and all people is the greatest gift. It is offered and given to you with no strings attached, no conditions to be met. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Don't neglect to open and receive it!
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Mary's Son and my Savior, thank You for coming into this world a gift, for going to the cross for me and dying in my stead that I might be forgiven and have life everlasting. Grant me faith to believe and receive the gift of God You won for me and all people by Your atoning sacrifice. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Editorial on 01/01/2014