Is there such a thing as “the perfect gift”? At Christmas time, shoppers go in search of it. Everyone wants his or her gift to be just what that receiver has always wanted. The things that people really want to make their lives better, can’t be bought from a store. I’m talking about good health, peace of mind, financial security, and long life to name a few.
There is a gift that can provide the missing elements of our lives. Best of all, anyone who knows where to find it can tell you where to get it free of charge. It sounds too good to be true, but this is one gift that delivers what it promises.
"Have you ever received an indescribable gift?" Have you ever received a gift that was beyond description? What kind of gift would it have to be to be called "indescribable?" Would it be a gift that you open & look at & say, "This is just beautiful, & it is something that I’ve wanted all my life what is it?"
Or maybe it is a gift that carries a lot of emotional feelings with it. It was given to you by someone very special, & it was a complete surprise when it was given. You’ll treasure it always because of the memories. Would that make it an indescribable gift? God presented this perfect gift to the world over 2,000 years ago.
God has given a gift which, to mere mortal men, is of such value and beauty and worthiness that it is hard to even imagine. The Apostle Paul spoke of it in 2 Corinthians 9:15 when he said, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." Why did Paul use the word "unspeakable" to describe God’s gift? I believe it is because God, in his infinite love and wisdom for mankind, wanted to give the greatest gift he ever could. It is a gift that mankind cannot even fully comprehend. In fact it is somewhat "unspeakable," at least by mortal tongue.
What words could truly be used to describe God’s great love in his choice of giving? To think that the one and only, Almighty God could love us even when we had sinned is … well … unspeakable in man’s description. God himself states it in John 3:16, "For God SO LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten Son…" Of course the gift which God gave in Christ is a gift which shows the greatest sacrifice that has ever been made. God, in the form of his son Jesus Christ, gave his life on the cross of Calvary to pay for the sins of mankind! All the receiver must do is realize that there is no way to save him/her self from sin, desire to repent or change their life from sin, and trust Christ as Saviour. Christ is the gift which allows the receiver eternal life in Heaven. God’s gift of love is that which is able to meet everyone’s needs, never wears out, never breaks, and is appropriate for every man, woman, boy and girl on the entire planet. Wow! That is some gift!
But the gift of God is not just the fact of salvation. Christ said in John 10:10, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." You see Christ not only gives life, but abundant life. He not only gives salvation FROM him, but a relationship WITH him. Think of the benefits that Christ’s abundant life gives: Improved relationships, stronger marriages, guidance in raising children, emotional strength to deal with difficult circumstances. This is all great, but greater yet is a personal relationship with him. A relationship … with GOD! He speaks to us through his Holy Word and we are able to speak to him in prayer at any time of any day.
The real question this year is, "What are YOU doing with God’s unspeakable gift?" As worthy as the gift of Christ is, a gift is not benefited until it is received. Have you been saved? Not through a church, or catechism, or baptism, or other good works; but have you received God’s gift provided through Jesus Christ? Have you trusted him alone as your personal Saviour to save you from your sins? Won’t you receive God’s gift of Christ today? And if you have already trusted him, will you love him in return and give yourself to him in service?
What is it that you get by receiving this gift?
Jesus? The Bible tells us that He is God. Matthew 1:23 says, “‘Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated ‘God with us.’” John 1:1-3,14.
He came to seek and to save the lost In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost”.
He came to die for our sins. I Corinthians 15:3 says, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures”. Note: Jesus foresaw all the sufferings that He would have to experience in order to be our Saviour. But He was willing to endure it all for our sake because in His great love for us He does not want us to be lost. For a really vivid description of what Christ was willing to endure for us, see the prophetic portrayals of His sacrifice Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, written 1,000 years and 700 years respectively before the cross. Truly Jesus was “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” Revelation 13:8. This means that even before we were created, He was totally committed in His heart to be our Saviour, if the need should arise. His death was completely voluntary for the sake of our salvation. Could there be any greater love than this? John 10:18; 15:13,14.
He came to bear witness to the truth. Jesus declared in John 18:37, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” The truth is important because only the truth can set us free and change our lives so that we can honor God and benefit others. John 8:32-36; 17:17-20.
He came to destroy the power and works of Satan. 1 John 3:5,8 states that Jesus “was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. . . For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.” See also Ezekiel 19:16-19 and Hebrews 2:14.
He came to bring us into an everlasting relationship of love with God the Father. God’s word says it in 1 Peter 3:18, NKJV. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” In Ephesians 2:4-7, we find that “God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:4-7.
Let us remember the real reason of Christmas is the "unspeakable gift" of wonder and love which is found in Christ!
Hello my Dear Friends!
Glad to see you are advancing the Kingdom of God there in Germany! We love you guys so very much!!!! Take care and God bless you always and in all ways in your service for Him!
In Christ,
Gina