THE REASON FOR THIS GIFT
Often, a gift given at Christmas is based on what a person needs. The gift God gave the world met the need of every person that has ever lived. The Bible states that we are sinners, separated from God, and deserve eternal death. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one... For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:10, 23) "But your inquities have seperated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2) "For the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23b)
To meet our need of salvation, God wrapped His Son, Jesus Christ, and presented Him to the World. "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) God gave His gift because of His great love for us.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS GIFT
Webster's Dictionary defines a gift as something of value that is voluntarily given from one person to another without receiving anything in return. This is exactly what God did for us by giving His Son to die on the cross for our sin. 2 Corinthians 9:15 states, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." This gift cannot be measured in value. It can never be destroyed or broken. This gift is eternal life. "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23b)
Jesus willingly gave Himself to meet our need. "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliever us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." (Galatians 1:4)
A true gift is given freely. God does not ask you to do anything to earn salvation. It is a free gift. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
THE RECEIVING OF THIS GIFT
We give gifts and expect them to be received. No one gives a present for it to be rejected. However, many people reject God's gift. Refusing to accept God's gift results in an eternity in Hell. "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)
You can receive His gift by turning from your sins and accepting Him as your personal Lord and Saviour. "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. " (Romans 10:9-10)
No comments:
Post a Comment