The Gift of God

#1 · December 24, 2007, 2:25 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on December 24, 2007, 2:25 pm
Posted by: <@...>

Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! (2 Corinthians 9:15 Amplified Bible)

Imagine going to a friend’s house on Christmas day and finding a large, beautifully wrapped gift shoved into the corner of the room. You ask your friend who sent them such a beautiful gift; they nonchalantly reply, “Oh, it’s nothing.” Curiosity gets the better of you and you glance at the gift tag, only to find that your friend has been sent a gift from God Himself! “Can I watch you open it?” you ask with excitement. Your friend says they won’t be opening it today; maybe tomorrow, or the next day. Besides, they rationalize, it will still be there tomorrow or the next day, or whenever they’re ready to open it.

Every human being has been given a gift by God. It is the gift of Jesus, the gift of salvation, the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Sadly, many have never opened this Gift by surrendering their life to Him as Savior and Lord. They feel certain that they will have many more mornings - Christmas or otherwise – to decide when they are ready to open the Gift. They know about the Gift, and that satisfies them for now. However, an unopened gift cannot benefit the receiver, no matter how valuable it is or how much love accompanies it. You might say it’s like shoving a million dollar check in the drawer and never cashing it. The check has been given; it’s in your hands. But it’s not useful to you until you take it to the bank and deposit it in your account.

Others mistakenly believe that they don’t need the Gift. After all, they rationalize, their own merits stack up pretty well. Surely God will see their goodness and bend the rules just for them. But all our best deeds are like filthy rags when compared to God’s righteousness (Isaiah 64:6). God provided only one way for redemption – through the blood of Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, David, Ezekiel all lived their lives in anticipation of the day this Gift – the Messiah - would come to earth. Angels stand in awe of Him. All creation worships Him. You’ve been given an indescribable Gift by God Himself - the greatest Gift mankind has ever known. Have you opened it?

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Posted by: <@...>

Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! (2 Corinthians 9:15 Amplified Bible)

Imagine going to a friend’s house on Christmas day and finding a large, beautifully wrapped gift shoved into the corner of the room. You ask your friend who sent them such a beautiful gift; they nonchalantly reply, “Oh, it’s nothing.” Curiosity gets the better of you and you glance at the gift tag, only to find that your friend has been sent a gift from God Himself! “Can I watch you open it?” you ask with excitement. Your friend says they won’t be opening it today; maybe tomorrow, or the next day. Besides, they rationalize, it will still be there tomorrow or the next day, or whenever they’re ready to open it.

Every human being has been given a gift by God. It is the gift of Jesus, the gift of salvation, the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Sadly, many have never opened this Gift by surrendering their life to Him as Savior and Lord. They feel certain that they will have many more mornings - Christmas or otherwise – to decide when they are ready to open the Gift. They know about the Gift, and that satisfies them for now. However, an unopened gift cannot benefit the receiver, no matter how valuable it is or how much love accompanies it. You might say it’s like shoving a million dollar check in the drawer and never cashing it. The check has been given; it’s in your hands. But it’s not useful to you until you take it to the bank and deposit it in your account.

Others mistakenly believe that they don’t need the Gift. After all, they rationalize, their own merits stack up pretty well. Surely God will see their goodness and bend the rules just for them. But all our best deeds are like filthy rags when compared to God’s righteousness (Isaiah 64:6). God provided only one way for redemption – through the blood of Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, David, Ezekiel all lived their lives in anticipation of the day this Gift – the Messiah - would come to earth. Angels stand in awe of Him. All creation worships Him. You’ve been given an indescribable Gift by God Himself - the greatest Gift mankind has ever known. Have you opened it?

Merry Christmas to you and yours!