Last Christmas, did you receive a gift that you didn’t really want? Maybe it was food that you don’t/can’t eat; maybe you already have plenty of this thing; maybe you don’t have room to store it; or you just don’t like it. Maybe you were expecting something particular, and you got something else instead. Maybe receiving gifts is not one of your love languages, and it’s just another dust-collecting piece of clutter.
What will you do? Perhaps you will try to take it back to the store for a refund. Perhaps you will give it to a charity. Perhaps you will put it in your present cupboard ready to re-gift to someone else.
What are you going to do this year, with the greatest gift of all; the reason for the season; the gift that never stops giving; the light of the world; the gift of eternal life?
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:9‑13 (NIV)
The world didn’t recognize Jesus for who He is – the true light, and His own people did not receive Him. God’s gift of Himself really is the greatest gift of all, far better than anything waiting for you under the Christmas tree. The Bible verse says that this gift must be received. Jesus wants to dwell and abide IN us. How do we know if God dwells in us?
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:13-16 (NIV)
Unlike other gifts, our gift of salvation IS meant to be re-gifted. It is meant to be shared with others. When we realize the value of this gift, we can’t help but share it with others. The cost to Jesus was everything, yet we receive it for free. We deserve eternal damnation, yet Jesus took our sin upon Himself. Jesus paid the price for us, so that we could be saved. He gave up everything, so that we could have everything. He knew what it would cost, yet He chose to do it anyway. This unimaginable generosity never fails to amaze me.
When we understand the law – that we deserve hell, the gospel is amazing. Jesus paid the price. Jesus died for everyone! Sadly, not everyone knows, recognises, or believes in Him. We can’t force anyone to believe, and that is not our job. Belief is only possible through the Holy Spirit. God wants more than just simple intellectual agreement or saying certain words. He wants us to trust completely in Jesus as the Son of God, and what Jesus has done for our acceptance by a holy God. That kind of trust means turning away from our sin and treasuring Christ above everything else in our lives.
We can’t help but tell others about things we treasure. If we have a favourite TV show, movie, book, website, brand of car (or anything else), medical provider, etc, we want to tell everyone about it. However, we are not always so keen to share the most important treasure of all. We say it’s not our calling, or our gift, or that we don’t have the training or skills. Perhaps we tried it once, but no one listened. Or worse, people ridiculed us.
God commands all of us to share the good news of salvation.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15 (NIV)
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus as a helpless baby, to live a sinless life, and then to die in my place. Forgive me when I forget or belittle Your unbelievably generous sacrifice. Please send your Holy Spirit to guide me and give me Your words to share with others. Thank you for Your promise to be with me always. Amen.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Did you get any unwanted gifts this year?
What will you do with them?
What will you do with the greatest gift of all?
I’d love to hear your comments in the comment box below.
Below is a link my blog from 9 December – The Perfect Gift: