A few years ago I received an email wishing me a happy Christmas. I was grateful for the message and thought nothing more of it until a few weeks later when I reread it. As I reviewed the words more carefully, I realized that I had missed the fact that the email contained a gift voucher with a limited time to redeem it!
It would be pretty silly for us to leave a present unopened. The love and care shown by someone who selects something special for us should result in our eagerly and thankfully unwrapping it.
We give gifts at this time of year as a reminder of the greatest gift God has given us—His Son Jesus Christ. In accepting Him as Lord and Savior, we have access to the most incredible relationship with God. The apostle Paul wrote of the greatest gift of all time. It’s found in “God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through . . . Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:15). This free gift provides for our salvation from sin and death. Paul wrote, “God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins” (Romans 5:16). Yes, as we turn from our sin and receive Jesus as our Savior, we can enjoy “a right relationship with God and new life” (Romans 5:18).
I almost missed out on a really great gift because I didn’t read an email properly the first time. And just as I had a limited time to redeem my gift voucher, we too have limited time to redeem the gift of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. Although God is patiently waiting for everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), there will come a time when Jesus returns for only those who have opened His gift of salvation. May we know and share that most precious gift this Christmas!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
More:
Read Ephesians 2:8-9 and consider what it reveals about a gracious gift from God.
Next:
Have you opened God’s gift of salvation and blessing? What does it mean for you to be right with Him?
Gary Shultz on December 7, 2015 at 7:12 am
Yes what a gift! What a price, what love and what a choice for us to carefully understand what God the giver has offered to us. May we thankfully live the relationship, the life, this gift has opened for us. Thank you and may you enjoy this special season.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on December 7, 2015 at 9:03 am
Thanks Gary – this season, may you unwrap the wonder of all that God has for you and all that you are, in Him.
Mike Wittmer on December 7, 2015 at 8:57 am
Thank you for this fitting analogy, Ruth. While it would be sad to lose the voucher, it would be utter tragedy to lose our lives. The stakes could not be higher. May we all open God’s gift this Christmas!
Ruth O'reilly-smith on December 7, 2015 at 9:17 am
Absolutely Mike! Although we may call ourselves Christians, many of us never unwrap all that we are – in Christ. This season, may we truly seek God, be still and come to know Him and His love for us.
Tom Felten on December 7, 2015 at 10:13 am
Ruth, this verse spoke to my heart once again: “God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God” (Romans 5:16). What an amazing God who presents us with the free gift of salvation that came at such a great cost! Thanks for this inspiring article that once again helped flood my heart with gratitude for what God has done.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on December 7, 2015 at 1:05 pm
It is truly a mystery Tom. We don’t come to God out of fear of what He may do if we don’t, but rather, it is His great mercy, grace and unconditional love that draw us to Himself – we can’t help but want to be in His presence.
jim spillane on December 7, 2015 at 11:19 am
Much like Ruth’s analogy with her voucher, our Almighty Father’s free gift comes with an expiration date. That date will occur in either one of two ways: either at the time of your death, or at the time of His second coming. Remember, “now is the acceptable time” to open God’s gift, don’t wait! Blessings to all.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on December 7, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Jim, when I was still in school, I had a friend who came with us to church and youth group, but she never made a commitment to follow Christ. She said she was having too much fun and although she wanted to make Jesus Lord of her life, it was something she didn’t want to do at the time. She said she would make that commitment “when the trumpet sounds, and Jesus comes on a cloud”. My friend hadn’t realized that we can only really have an abundant life – in Christ. Outside of unwrapping and receiving God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we will always be left wanting more, never satisfied (John 10:10).
Gary Shultz on December 7, 2015 at 4:28 pm
Great point, the best of both.
Folakemi1 on December 8, 2015 at 3:13 am
I want to thank you all people of God for the inspiring messages. May I please request that you each pray for me that I may receive the peace of God during this season and that the peace abide with me until His coming. May God bless you all. Folakemi