The Indescribable Gift

"Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

    There's a gift beneath your tree, gloriously wrapped in linen and tied with ribbon of pure gold. On the tag it says, "Especially for you, from God." What do you suppose is inside?

    Over lunch yesterday with my dear friend, Deanna, her eyes filled with tears as she told me of her youngest son, Kevin. After many years of kidney disease, Kevin had been granted a new lease on life through the sacrifice of an organ donor earlier this year. Soon, arrangements will be made to meet the family of the young man whose unexpected death gave Kevin new life. Deanna wondered how she can begin to express the gratitude that swells within her each time she sees her son, robust with good health. 

    We are all in dire need of a transplant, ever since that sly serpent seduced and sullied the human race with sin, for the bible says, "The wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23) When the angels made their heavenly birth announcement to the shepherds, our remedy is found therein: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:11)

    That Baby was born to die as a sacrifice for all. "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)

    So, getting back to that box, will you open it? How could you resist? Yet, sadly, many do. Here's a wise saying: "Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once." We, who are living and breathing, have all been born once but, like Kevin, we are suffering from a fatal illness, in dire need of a transplant. The box contains new life in Christ Jesus. 

    By accepting his free gift, eternal life has been given to you - wrapped with love and stained with the precious blood of the Savior. Listen to the words of Jesus: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11: 25, 26)

    Your affirmation opens the box! Not only have you been spared from spiritual death and eternal separation from God, but you have been given the gift of his Holy Spirit who indwells each believer, providing guidance along life's way. Immanuel: God with us!

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life." Romans 6:23