A lot of attention is given to gifts at Christmas -- the wise men giving gifts to Jesus, and the gifts we hope to get from someone, or those we feel obligated to give to people we're not sure we like all that much. But the best gifts of all are the ones Jesus brought us with his birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension. Do you know what they are?
Here are just a few of the gifts given to us because of the coming of the Son of God into the flesh to live with us, be God to us, and give us "all things" (Rom. 8:32).
-- A "new covenant" with God that brings life, 2 Cor 3:4-11, and a face-to-face relationship with God, 2 Cor. 3:12-18.
-- Justification and Righteousness (being made right with God, and being given the full righteousness of Jesus Christ), Rom. 3:21-26.
-- Peace with God, Luke 2:14, John 14:27, Acts 10:36, Romans 1:7, 5:1, and 14:17, etc.
-- Adoption into God's family, God's eternal and joy-filled purpose for us since eternity, Eph. 1:3-6, Rom. 8:14-15.
-- The actual mind of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor. 1:10, and 2:16, John 16:13-15.
-- Real prayer: we don't pray on our own, but through and with Jesus, by the Holy Spirit's work, Rom. 8:26-27,
-- Eternal confidence that we will never be separated from God, Rom. 8:31-38
The list could go on and on, but I think you get the picture -- especially if you look up all those scriptures! I've been encouraged a lot just reading them again.
So what do you want for Christmas? I already have everything I want or really truly need, through Jesus Christ my Lord. How about you? And if you don't have this confidence, right now is the best time ever to ask God for it!
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