A Time For Giving

Good News – December 2019 – Grace & Truth Magazine

A Time For Giving

As children we saw Christmas more as a time for getting than giving. But there is no getting without someone spending and giving. The shops and stores make sure we get that message! We are reminded that to exchange gifts is a great tradition all over the world � keep it going and have a good time! Many people also believe that it has something to do with God's giving and Christ's birth at Bethlehem. Well, this miraculous event certainly happened about 2,000 years ago. Even our calendars tell us that.

Choosing The Gift
Is choosing your Christmas gifts a problem? Most of us find it is. We try to give what our friends would like or need most. We do not want them to be disappointed with their presents and think we don't care. The gift that God gave was carefully chosen. He gave what we needed most. The Bible says, "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23 KJV). The sins we all commit will keep us out of heaven. But God desires to save us from sin's penalty. He offers us eternal life � as a gift � what we need more than anything else.

Presenting The Gift
Many gifts are carefully and tastefully wrapped to make them as attractive as possible. Have you noticed how attractive God made His gift? He did not send a mighty angel or a frightening spirit to bring His gift to us. He sent His own Son: born in a manger at Bethlehem, living among ordinary people in the land of Israel, dying on a cross on a hill near Jerusalem. Why?

It is because He loved us so much. This is what another Bible verse states: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16).

Accepting The Gift
It is silly to say it, but your friends will not be paying you for your gifts to them! They will receive them and (hopefully) thank you. You paid for the gifts; they get them free. In just the same way you cannot pay or do anything to get eternal life. You will never obtain it by religion, ceremonies or good works. God paid the price � a price we could never pay. It was all paid for at Calvary when "Christ died for our sins" (1 Cor. 15:3). This greatest of all gifts is offered to you freely � just accept it by asking Christ to forgive you and save you from your sins. You must do this for yourself. It is a personal matter between God and you. Remember, "whosoever" � that is, each individual � who believes in Him will receive everlasting life.

Refusing The Gift
A gift becomes yours only when you accept it. It might be bought, wrapped up and sent, but unless you receive it, it will lie in the pile of unclaimed gifts or be returned to the sender. God's gift is available to you now � the greatest and best gift ever � the very thing you need most for this life and the next. But to make it yours you will have to claim it by trusting Christ as your own personal Savior. It does not just happen unless you want it to. Make it happen now. Admit your need. Believe in Him. By faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life, and you will receive the best gift ever given! We can tell you how.