Christmas: What could be the best gift you could give?
More than anything else, people need something durable, something wonderful that’s lasting. Is there anything you could give someone that would have that feature and be extremely important for them? Some of you who read this will probably know exactly where I’m headed with this.
Romans 5:17-18
17 For if by one man’s offence [that of Adam] death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Jesus Christ] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. [Emphasis added]
This “free gift” spoken of here is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that is gained by anyone who accepts Him as their Savior. This brings about what is called justification by faith resulting in salvation. The gift of salvation is by far the greatest of all gifts. And we should all be glad to know that it is not a gift that is somehow earned or deserved by some work done on our part. It truly is a gift.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]
Are there people you know who need to know about this gift that is offered to them freely? Being the Christmas Season, doesn’t this provide us all with an extra opportunity to talk to some people about it? There are many, even here in America, who have no idea about the true meaning of Christmas. What is it that we’re supposed to be celebrating? Isn’t it God’s provision of sending a Savior into the world for all of us?
John 3:16
16 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. [Emphasis added]
This word begotten speaks of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Then notice the message of the verses that immediately follow John 3:16.
John 3:17-18
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [Emphasis added]
At the time this was spoken salvation was all about believing Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah. Today, we need to believe that, but salvation comes now when someone believes that Christ died for their sins, was buried and raised on the third day for their justification.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Being God’s enemies because of our sinfulness, He provided a means for our full reconciliation with God. Instead of charging us with our sins, they were charged to Jesus Christ when He bore them in His own body and paid the penalty for them on the cross of Calvary.
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word [or message] of reconciliation.
Then we are commanded to accept this work He did through His death, burial, and resurrection. As believers we are all ambassadors, meaning we as believers are all personal representatives of Christ with a wonderful message to share with the world.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ [His personal representatives], as though God did beseech you by us: we pray [DEOMAI = desire for] you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
When someone accepts this message, they are then fully reconciled to God, being given as a gift the very righteousness God demands for one’s salvation.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
Even though so many people don’t understand all this, it is this that is our main message to the world. We can actually have a part in delivering to people the message they need to accept so as to gain everlasting salvation and the means to their entrance into Heaven. God did a work through Christ that had to be done to provide us with a way for this. Again, Christ died, paying the full penalty for the sins of the entire world of mankind. When someone accepts what He did, the perfect righteousness of God is fully credited to that person’s account. They are then said to be justified and delivered [saved] from God’s wrath and condemnation. Again, isn’t this a part of the good news of that which we speak of as the gospel message? It’s the fact that God loved us enough to send us a Savior despite our unworthiness as sinners.
At Christmastime some may be prone to think of the gifts the Magi [the wise men] brought to our Lord at His birth.
Matthew 2:11
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. [Emphasis added]
I even have an article on this website about this. I hope you’ll take the time to read it sometime.
Christmas: What is the star of Bethlehem?
But there’s one gift that’s more precious than gold or anything else.
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Emphasis added]
We should all be so thankful for this.
2 Corinthians 9:15
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. [Emphasis added]
The big problem every generation has on this is that “religion” may talk about it as a gift but doesn’t actually present it as one. They always add certain works to it making it something that’s based on one’s personal merit. At the heart of this problem is the lack of knowledge concerning what is called the right division of Scripture.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]
People are caused to mix the program God had for Israel with ours. Formally this is spoken of as the gospel of the circumcision vs. our gospel of the uncircumcision [Galatians 2:7]. These gospel messages are not the same. I have articles about them on this website.
Peter & Paul: Was their message the same?
Gospels: Did Peter and Paul preach the same gospel?
I hope you’ll study both of these articles. It is because people don’t know about the differences in these gospels that we have denominationalism today. Man’s attempt to make them one has created a tremendous amount of controversy, confusion, and division. But people need to know that God offers them complete salvation by simply accepting what Christ was born to accomplish. He by no means came just to set a moral example for us. These following verses sum up the purpose of it all.
Again, 2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us [when He bore them on the cross], who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
It was the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ that made this possible. It is His work, not ours that makes our salvation possible.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel [the good news] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved [delivered from condemnation], if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you [when he was with them], unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]
If you’ve never accepted Jesus Christ and this wonderful work He did for you, I hope you’ll do that right now. As you do this, you’ll receive the greatest gift you ever have or ever will receive—the gift of everlasting salvation.
Again, 2 Corinthians 9:15
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable [ANEKDIEGETOS = inexpressible] gift. [Emphasis added]
As we might say today, it is such a wonderful gift it is indescribable. There are no words that can explain how wonderful this gift is. I do hope you’ll accept it without delay. Then when you do, I hope you’ll share this message called the gospel of grace with someone as a gift to them. There’s nothing of greater value that you could ever give them.
