Shiny And Bright

My freshman year in college I decided to get a job so that I could buy my mom a pearl and diamond ring I had seen. I loved it and I wanted it so I wanted her to have it. I made minimum wage so it took a while to save but I did it. I was so excited and could not wait for my mom to open this gift. I thought it was perfect! And she loved my gift and was happy to receive it. As you begin thinking about gifts, buying gifts or wrapping gifts think about the best gift we have ever received.

The gift of salvation is a free gift from God totally by His grace. Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God. The Bible tells us we will be rewarded for the good we do. But it is not by doing good deeds, performing certain rituals, or by keeping a list of rules, that we are saved from sin. Salvation and having a home in Heaven are not rewards. They are gifts!

Romans 3: 24, "...and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

There are more than 7,000 promises in the Bible from God to us. They are just waiting for us to accept. The Bible’s most famous promise is John 3:16, "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." Hear the Good News - the glad tidings in 1 Corinthians 15: 3, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures..." It does not matter your religion or your background. Romans 3: 22, "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile..." Jesus Christ died for you. Men cannot earn it and money cannot buy it. Who you are and how much money you have does not matter. As Isaiah said, “without money and without price.”

Matthew 2: 11, "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew said when they saw the child Jesus, “they bowed down and worshiped him.” He uses this expression several times throughout his gospel to describe people’s reactions to Jesus. The wise men brought lavish gifts. We, too, should bow and worship Jesus as King. We should also offer gifts to him, starting with our hearts and our service. He gives us new life! Romans 6: 23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The gift of salvation comes in the form of Jesus Christ. Outside of a union with Jesus there is no 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.” If you have not received your free gift of salvation, pray, "I receive Jesus Christ into my heart, as my free gift, acknowledging Him as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, God!"

Have you accepted this gift that is so freely given?