1)
The Gift of Salvation.
The
Bible says, “For it is by grace
you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it
is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is God’s
deliverance of people from the power and effects of sin through the work of
Jesus Christ dying on the cross to pay the penalty of our sin. Salvation is the
sinner's rescue from death to life with God.
2)
The
Gift of God’s Grace. The Apostle Paul tells us, “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s
grace given me through the working of his power” (Ephesians
3:7). Since all of us are sinners, we must rely on Jesus’ death on the cross on
our behalf to receive forgiveness of sin and enjoy eternal salvation.
3) The
Gift of Eternal Life. “For the wages of sin
is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord” (Romans
6:23). This gift is available to anyone who believes in Christ and trusts that
he died to pay the penalty of sin which we deserved to pay. Without Jesus
Christ, it would be impossible for us to live with God forever.
4)
The Gift of
Righteousness. Scripture explains, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death
reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s
abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in
life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17). When anyone puts their
faith and trust in Jesus alone, they step into righteousness, which is only
available because Jesus died on the cross for each of us. We become
righteous, not because of anything we have done, but on what Christ had done.
5) The
Gift of Life. The Bible says, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your
wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you
of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (I
Peter 3:7). Marriage is a blending of two lives, and when a man has found a
virtuous woman to marry, she becomes a precious gift – the gift of life.
Obviously, these God-gifts originate with God himself. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father [God] of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). We can enjoy these God-given-gifts all year long, but they are particularly precious during the Christmas season. Have you personally received these gifts from God? They are yours for the receiving. Take time to thank God for what he has given you. Do not let Christmas slip by without showing your appreciation to God for the wonderful gifts he has provided for you.
