THE GREATEST GIFT
Romans 5:6–11, 18–21
I am blessed to have a couple of friends who are quite the characters. They have the natural gift of humor and can make a difficult day a little more bearable. As you know, the commercial world begins promoting Christmas earlier each year. With this in mind, those previously mentioned friends start in January of each year to count down the days until Christmas.
Some stores have Christmas-in-July sales, and certain television stations have Christmas movies throughout the year. Why not have a countdown for Christmas all the time?
With Christmas comes an abundance of celebrations, activities and, of course, gifts. When it comes to gifts, do we truly deserve them? Think about it. How does a person earn a blessing or a present from another?
Grace is the greatest gift of all. The only One who can give such an extravagant gift is Jesus. Our relationship with Christ should compel us to both worship and serve Him freely and fully.
We receive the gift of God’s love, which is demonstrated by the death of Christ. (6–8)
Please highlight these verses. Screenshot them. Print them out. Write them down. Read and reread them. If you ever doubt God’s love for you, refer back to these words from Paul. Some of us can be prone to simply speaking of our love for others; Christ showed it. I love the fact that His love was already expressed and established long before you or I ever realized we needed it. God did not wait for us to get our lives together, turn over a new leaf or reform before Christ died for us. He demonstrated His love for us while we were lost in darkness and misery.
We have the gift of reconciliation in Christ. (9–11)
Do not ever forget how beautiful reconciliation can be. Without it, peace is not possible and salvation is not provided. The cross of Christ was the exclamation mark to the world that God desires to forgive us and welcome us into a saving relationship with Him.
Never forget that we are the ones reconciled to God, not the other way around. We are forgiven by the death of Christ, and we are set free by His life. How beautiful it is when people come to Jesus and find the missing piece they desperately needed.
We have the gift of eternal life through Christ. (18–21)
It really is all about Jesus! Once we surrender to Him through faith and belief, we have the gift of eternal life that can never be taken away or forfeited. Before we came to salvation in Christ, sin reigned in our lives. After Christ, His grace reigns in every aspect of who we are. Because of His atonement on the cross, believers are justified before the Father, made righteous and will never know separation from Him.
There is no greater gift than salvation, and Jesus is the only One qualified to give it. If you have received this matchless gift, you know it is worth sharing. It is appropriate for all.
All gifts except this one will eventually fade away. This gift of grace is the only one you will take with you when you die. Technically, Christmas is always coming but so is Jesus. Have you received the greatest gift of all?
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
