Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

First person: The ultimate gift for a nonbelieving friend

Here are 7 things you can write to an unbelieving friend this Christmas season.
  • December 20, 2023
  • Chuck Lawless
  • Featured, First Person, Latest News
(Unsplash photo)

First person: The ultimate gift for a nonbelieving friend

Hi, friend.

You and I have had such good times together. We can be apart for months at a time, but it’s as if nothing’s changed when we get together again. You can never know how grateful I am for your friendship.

How I wish, though, that I could give you these things for Christmas:

  • Trust in the Bible as the Word of God.
  • The joy I have in following Jesus, who is the center of the Christmas story.
  • The belief that the Lord can truly change you and make you anew.
  • The exhilaration of true forgiveness that God grants those who follow Him.
  • Freedom from sin patterns that seem to control you.
  • Deep rest in the night, knowing that your soul rests in God’s hands.
  • Excitement about how God might use you in the future.

I can’t give you those things, but I can direct you to the One who can — Jesus. I long for the day when we walk together as brothers in Christ! Until then, please know that I love you, am grateful for you, and pray that Jesus will be the ultimate gift for you this Christmas.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was originally published by chucklawless.com.

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president
    Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president
    July 15, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • John MacArthur, megachurch pastor and voice of ‘Grace to You’ radio ministry, dies at 86
    John MacArthur, megachurch pastor and voice of ‘Grace to You’ radio ministry, dies at 86
    July 15, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • SBC Worship offers music resources, training, community
    SBC Worship offers music resources, training, community
    July 15, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president

Trustees have asked Lifeway’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Walker to serve as interim president and CEO until a new president is named, in accordance with Lifeway’s bylaws.

John MacArthur, megachurch pastor and voice of ‘Grace to You’ radio ministry, dies at 86

John MacArthur, megachurch pastor, culture warrior, author and longtime voice of the “Grace to You” radio program, has died. 

SBC Worship offers music resources, training, community

The Worship Initiative recently announced a new digital hub called SBC Worship — to support music ministers and worship teams and equip them to sing the truth of Scripture.

Providing more than meals, meeting ‘critical’ need

For nine years, First Baptist Church in Portland has run a summer feeding program that does more than fill empty stomachs.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel