A GIFT FOR YOU
The most precious gift ever to be given was, without question, God's gift of His only-begotten Son. Those of us who are cut to our hearts by the condemning grip of sin, and who turn to God for His mercy, will receive full forgiveness and a new life, in a completely new creation.
"The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).
"If anyone be in Christ, there is NEW CREATION" (2 Cor. 5:17).
Think of it! "Blessed with every spiritual blessing IN THE HEAVENLIES, IN CHRIST" (Eph. 1:3). Who would neglect to receive such a gift, which, although provided free, is made possible only at a humanly unreachable cost? Yet, sad to say, most of humanity rejects that "unspeakable gift."
"He came to his own [creation] and his own [people] received him not" (John 1:11). The expression "His own people" refers to those who were in an outward covenant relationship with God. They had a knowledge of the truth, had the right genealogy, used the right words, and went to the right house of worship, but they rejected the only thing that could save them.
How about us? We may claim to be Christian. After all, we live in a so-called 'Christian' nation. We may attend religious meetings, join a church, observe various ordinances and sacraments, use all the right words and strictly observe a long list of "do's" and "don'ts," BUT neglect the gift of God. Someone may say, "Oh, I believe in Christ, and that, plus my own good efforts, gives me a pretty good chance of heaven." Think of it ---- Christ PLUS my good works. How tragic! Because, if we could catch but a fleeting glimpse of the purity, holiness, and blinding glory of God, we would plainly see our puny good works as but an offering of horribly decayed fruits of unrighteousness. And, think of it! We hold such a vile "offering" next to the perfect, spotless Son of God, who endured incomprehensible sufferings to provide the one and ONLY ground of salvation. No wonder Jesus Christ did not say "I am one of many ways to God." He said plainly, "I am THE way . . . no one comes to the Father except by me" (John 14:6).
Indeed, Jesus Christ did come from heaven's glory to the creation that He Himself had made (John 1:3). And, it is also true that when He came, those who CLAIMED to believe in God did not receive Him as the One who would establish the ONLY ground of deliverance from the wrath to come. But, it is also true that the few who did receive Him received a new title, "children of God," the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life, a life to be enjoyed both here and in the eternity to come.
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be.
Someday your heart will be asking
"What will He do with me?"