This past week, the world celebrated the Christmas holiday. As part of the festivities, millions of people gave and received Christmas gifts. As has become customary, many of those who received gifts showed up at a store on the day after Christmas to return their gift in exchange for something else that they really wanted.
Those who liked the gifts they received will still have to deal with maintaining those gifts in order to keep them in good condition. However, eventually, a shiny new gift will one day become worn out and not so shiny or new.
What if I told you that there is a gift that you can receive that you would never consider wanting to return? What if I told you that there is a gift that you can receive that would not just make you excited and happy for a few moments, but would give you permanent peace and joy as you go through this life? What if I told you that there is a gift that you can receive that will be of more benefit and blessing to your life as you enter the New Year than anything you could possibly imagine? What if I told you that this is a gift that will never grow old, that will never decay, and that will never fall into disrepair or disuse? And, perhaps best of all, what if I told you that this gift is absolutely free and that it is being offered to you right now?
It might sound too good to be true, but everything I just told you is, in fact, a reality. Each of those things can be found in “the gift of God which is eternal life in Jesus Christ.” Having eternal life means that you are reborn spiritually so that you can fellowship and communicate with God, your Creator. It also means that when you die, you do not have to go to an awful place of punishment, but that you will go to a wonderful paradise called Heaven to be with God forever. This gift is truly the greatest gift in all the world. And Jesus Christ is offering it to you right now.
Romans 6:23 says, “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Allow me to share with you three wonderful things about this gift.
1. Eternal life is a purchased gift. You did not have to pay for any Christmas gifts you received. The person giving it to you already purchased it. You do not have to pay anything for eternal life either, because, it too, has already been purchased. Acts 20:28 tells us that Jesus Christ “hath purchased it with his own blood.” Jesus Christ lived a perfect life on earth, and then went to the cross and bled and died for your sins and mine. By shedding His holy blood, He suffered the punishment that we deserve for our sins. By His death, He paid our sin debt.
2. Eternal life is a personal gift. If someone bought you a gift, it only makes sense that they try to make sure that you personally receive it. You may accept or reject their gift, but it is your personal decision. Receiving eternal life is a personal decision as well. John 3:7 says, “Ye must be born again.” Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Believing on Jesus Christ in order to receive eternal life is a personal decision you have to make.
3. Eternal life is a precious gift. It is a gift of extreme value. The Bible says that those who have received eternal life “have obtained like precious faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Eternal life is a gift of value far beyond all the riches and wealth in this world. Eternal life, once you have it, is a gift you wouldn’t dream of returning or getting rid of.
When a person accepts the fact that they are a sinner deserving of death and Hell, and realizes how God loved them so much that He sacrificed His only Son to save them and give them eternal life, and makes the decision to accept that gift, the peace, joy and privilege they gain from being a child of God will mean more to them than all the jewels and material possessions in this world.
Would you like to receive this gift of God right now? If so, simply believe in Jesus Christ, that He died on the cross for our sins, that He was buried, and that He rose from the dead by the power of God. The only way we can be saved from our sins and receive the gift of eternal life is through this sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We must place our faith in Him and what He has done. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Are you ready to call on Jesus Christ right now and let Him know that you are accepting his free gift? Then please pray with me the following simple prayer.
Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today and forever so that I can have your peace and assurance about my life today and my eternal future. Amen.
If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! Congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”.
Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!
MUSICAL SELECTION: “Gift of God” by Liberty Campus Band
The Gospel Light Minute X 