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GOD'S CHRISTMAS GIFT
by Duane Huffstutler GOD'S CHRISTMAS GIFT It is nearing Christmas and we are thinking about what we are going to give to our family and friends, the people we love. We think about what they need and what best suits them. The only thing that may restrain us is the cost of the gift and how that fits into our budget. Then there are those that throw the budget out the window at Christmas and try to regroup in January. But how many of us stop to think about God's Christmas gift? Let's take a look at it. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I know the first thing you are going to say is"that verse is not a Christmas verse. It has nothing to do with the Christmas story." But I beg to differ with you. At Christmas you give without thought of getting anything in return, or that is what you are supposed to do, and that is what God did. He gave without expecting anything in return. God loved you so much that he gave. What did he give? He gave his only son. He gave mercy. He gave grace. He gave salvation. He gave eternal life. So what does all this mean to me? He gave his only son. Why? When man fell the only thing that kept communication between God and man was a blood sacrifice. This sacrifice had to be pure. An animal sacrifice was only a temporary covering for sin but God wanted a permanent covering for sin. The only on that could be a permanent covering for sin was God's own son. So that is why God gave his only son. He gave mercy. When justice is what we deserve, God's punishment for sin, he gave us mercy which is being spared from what we really deserve. God's son stepped up and took the punishment for us. He also gave us grace. Grace is being given what we do not deserve. Therefore we don't have to take the punishment if we will accept God's Christmas gift, and hang onto it with everything inside of us. Duane L. Huffstutler, Written 2011, Faithwriters.com Duane L. Huffstutler is the Sunday School Director at Oak Grove Pentecostal Ministries in Bonifay Florida. All scripture is from the King James Version (1611) Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |