The Best Christmas Gift

There is no better gift in all the world than the free gift of salvation. 

This Gift consists of forgiveness of sin and eternal life.  We can receive this gift through belief and by faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. This gift of salvation (Deliverance from sin and its consequences) has been given purely through God's grace stemming out of God's supernatural love for us all. 

Ephesians 2:8 New International Version 1984  

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves
it is the gift of God—

John 3:16 New International Version 1984  
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Appropriating this gift restores us back in a right relationship back to God, adopts us into His family, and assures us of being in His presence in heaven for all eternity. Again, Jesus made this possible through His atoning work on the cross.

We have all been at one time separated from God, and we all still have a sin nature. Yet, God in in His great desire for none to perish, has a made a way for us to be saved from the consequences of our sin. Jesus is that way. For those who receive Jesus' free gift of salvation are now considered His friends and His followers and through Him we can come to the Father. Here is what Jesus tells us about love and friendship:

 

John 15:12-14 New Living Translation 

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 
You are my friends if you do what I command.

 Jesus is the only way to salvation:

Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under 
heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
 
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The reason why it is so important for us to know about God's free gift is the fact that sin separates us from Him, and unless this sin is covered and paid for, we will remain separated from God for all eternity. For those who reject Christ and continue on in sin will experience spiritual death.

The Bible explains it this way:

Romans 6:23 New Living Translation  
For the wages of sin is death 

Romans 8:6 New Living Translation (NLT)
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. 

Isaiah 59:2 New Living Translation
It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.  Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

The Good News:

Jesus laid down His life, He paid the price for us sinners. This was part of God's plan before the beginning of the world. So if the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life. If a sinful nature that controls you leads to death then, the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. This is God's good plan to redeem us and adopt us into His family.

 

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, 
Christ died for us.

Mark 10:45 New International Version 1984  
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life 
as a ransom for many.”

Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV

For he chose us in him (Jesus) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love  he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

Why celebrate Christmas?

The birth of our Savior (the incarnation of the second person of the Trinity) is at the heart of each  years Christmas celebration. This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate as well as remember why Jesus was sent by God to come into this world. Please take the time to read Isaiah 53 to get a fuller understanding why many people refer to Jesus as the “Suffering Servant”. Then read Matthew 26:36-42 along with Matthew 27 which reinforces the idea that Jesus not only came to save us but to suffer for us as well. When I think about idea of Jesus suffering, I view Christmas not only as a celebration of His birth, but the recognition of Jesus’ willingness to suffer to carry out God’s plan of salvation. He carried out God’s plan even though He was well aware of the pain He was going to have to endure leading up to and then culminating at the Cross. To me this powerfully enhances the meaning of Christmas to the point of an unmatched heartfelt gratitude toward Jesus for His sacrifice.

 

Christmas is a special time of year and carries with it a purpose for us as well. When I see all the Christmas lights I am reminded that Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus also tells us to be a light to the world so others can hear about God’s wonderful plan of salvation. We are called to spread Jesus'  message of Hope to all who have “ears to hear”.  

 

The Bible speaks about this light in Jesus and in us as well:

 

John 8:12 NIV

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. 
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 9:4-5 NIV

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

 

John 12:46 NIV

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should 
stay in darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16 

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 

Isaiah 42:6 NIV
"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles

 

Acts 13:47 NIV
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' [ Isaiah 49:6] "

 

Here is what we are commanded to do:

 

Matthew 28:18-20 New Living Translation  

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

The Good News:

 Romans 10:13    

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

 More good news: Once we are saved - Nothing can separate us from the love of God!

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] 
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, 
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of 
God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord

 

So even within all the activities we get involved with during this Christmas holiday, 
let’s always remember to share the good news, the joy we have, and always give an 
answer for the hope we have in Jesus

  

Let’s remember to be the light of world.  

 

1 Peter 3:15 NIV 
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an 
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an 
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 
But do this with gentleness and respect

 

Jesus paid the price for our sin, let's receive it in gratitude and give all the glory to God.

 

 

 

Merry Christmas.....................Dave