The gift that stole Christmas

The gift that stole Christmas.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Do we actually think habitually about the real gift that God the Father gave to everyone of us?
JOH 3:16
"God loved the world so much that He gave His uniquely-born Son, that whosoever believes in Him should never perish but have eternal life."

2 Cor 9:15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

The GIFT of God’s Son that led to the GIFT of eternal life for all who would believe, that Gift steals your heart.

You mean, even though I am a thief and a murderer, you want to bring me to heaven?
And you will offer that to me FREELY, without any conditions?!!

Because even the hardest heart, the most bitter person, the most selfish ruler, can be broken by this kind of love.

Because God gave us His Son without concern for His own comfort or a return of His love.

He GAVE it. Do you ever sit back and just dwell on the fact that God has ALREADY given you the gift of eternal life, despite you unfaithfulness to Him at times?

We do not HAVE TO serve Him to keep our gift of eternal life!!! YOU ARE FREE.
That is true freedom; the freedom given us by the pure grace of God.

As the perfect Gentleman, God only asks that we ACCEPT HIS GIFT, through faith in His Son.
JOH 1:11

As the Redeemer, He has rights of ownership, but He gave up His right to give you true freedom.

“YES, I have set you free, that’s why I went to such extremes as sacrificing My own Son, so the freedom I could offer you would be complete.”
“You have been totally purchased from the slave market by the blood of My own Son. You are now free.”

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

You ARE FREE. You can use your freedom however you want, as an opportunity for the flesh if you want to, but He hopes you instead choose to share His love and grace with others.

John 1:18
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

2 Cor 9:15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

ROM 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

ROM 5:15-17 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

JOH 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

Simplicity Of Salvation
The greatest stumbling block to men entering eternal life is the simplicity of salvation. Men want to "do" something to earn salvation, but God says it is a gift, because Jesus Christ paid the price on the cross. He bought eternal life for every man.

However, the gift must be received by faith. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" To which they answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved." (ACT 16:30-31)

SALVATION’S SIMPLICITY
As simple as coming when called. "Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (MAT 11:28)

As simple as drinking water. "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (JOH 4:14)
"If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture said, ‘from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water…’" (JOH 7:37-38)

As simple as eating bread.
"I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst…. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." (JOH 6:35, JOH 6:51)

As simple as entering a door.
"I am the door, if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved." (JOH 10:9a)

As simple as receiving a gift. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (ROM 6:23)

As simple as calling for help. "For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." (ROM 10:13)
As simple as the trust of a child. "And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, ‘truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.’" (MAT 18:2-3)

As simple as believing in Jesus Christ.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes (in Me) has eternal life." (JOH 6:47) "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (JOH 11:25-26)

Each of the examples and illustrations is designed to show the simplicity of faith. The scripture says. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (ROM 10:17)

In the final analysis, it all comes down to the question in the above passage, "Do you believe this?" Your response will determine your eternal destiny; either heaven or hell. Don’t stumble over the simplicity of the Gospel!