The Gifts We Give

There is no getting around it, even as a seventarian I look forward to opening gifts on Christmas morning.  But, is Christmas all about getting presents?  No, according to tradition, December 25 is the day Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary in the stable....we all know the story.  (It probably isn't that exact day, but it's as good a day as any to celebrate the birth of a King.)

But back to giving and receiving gifts....I love to give gifts that are meaningful to the person... it's a love thing.  What will touch their heart.  And, of course, I like receiving gifts that are thoughtful as well ... how much effort did that person go to to think about me and what I might enjoy.  

There is a gift given at Christmas, however, that mostly gets over-looked these days....
The Gift of  the birth of Jesus Christ.

"For God so loved the world (you and me) that He GAVE. 
God gave His one and only Son to pay a price you and I could never pay.  Our "sin debt."

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." – Isaiah 53:4-5

* We are ALL sinners.  (ALL of us...you, me and even our saintly grandma.)
* God is Holy....by His very nature He is not able to have a relationship with sin.  Without a relationship with God, when we die, we will NOT go to heaven, nor will we be "resting in peace." There are consequences for sin.  This is our "sin debt."*
* In the Old Testament there was the blood sacrifice that paid the sin debt for a time (not once for all.)
* But then God gave us a new sacrifice...Jesus Christ ... Jesus' birth leads up to Easter and Jesus' death and resurrection.
  The blood sacrifice that pays the sin debt once for all.  

But that is not the end...what happens after the sacrifice has been paid.  How does the sinner (you and me) appropriate the payment...the gift?  

Let's pretend you get a speeding ticket and the fine is $1,000 and you only have $20 in your bank account!  "Pay up or go to jail!" the Judge shouts.... You try to reason with the Judge but he is a just judge and he is firm. You resign yourself to the fact that you're going to jail because you just, plain don't have the money for the fine.  

Then a total stranger steps up and says "I'll pay the fine on their behalf."   The fine will be paid and you'll be free to go home.  Wow, how grateful you are ... how relieved and happy ... but you still need to reach out and accept the gift.  You need to tell your benefactor that you accept the gift.  (You both know this is a gift...not a loan...you do not have the means to pay him back.)

So, HOW do you accept the gift of Jesus' payment for your sin debt?  The debt you could never, ever pay on your own?

* You must admit that you are a sinner....you can't fake this....you can't just use words... this may take some time to really look into your soul.  While God cannot have a relationship with sin, He does hear the prayers of sinners...pray, ask for the Holy Spirit to show you your sin...it is a very humbling experience and will truly break your heart.*

* Believe that Jesus died to pay for your sin debt, and that He rose again on Easter, and is alive today.   This does not come naturally to us.  We don't just "Believe"  just like that.  Again, pray that the Holy Spirit will show you the truth of  your sin debt and Jesus' payment.

* Humble yourself, accept God's free gift of payment for your sin.  This may look different to different people.

As you can see, this is not a 10 minute process....it may take some time.  Get alone in the mornings before your busy day.  Get a Bible, start reading the book of John in the New Testament.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see God's truth in God's Word.  Honestly, this will change your life.  This will change your eternity!

Don't wait.  None of us knows when we will breath our last.  After that, we stand before God and He asks only one question.....What did you do with the knowledge of the birth, death and resurrection of my Son, Jesus Christ. 
Your answer will determine where you spend your eternity.

Please send me a private message if I can be of any help to you in any way. 

*If you are thinking you are a "good person" and never sin....just think back on the past week and count the number of lies you've told.
Lying is a sin, even the "little white" ones.