The Gift
December! It doesn’t seem possible that this month is already here! I am not sure where the time goes, but it seems to be passing faster all the time. This is an exciting time of the year for many people. Family, Christmas shopping, presents! But more and more the emphasis for the Christian has changed right along with the world. We give our passing attention to programs and services, but I believe that we are forgetting some very important things. The Christian is very thankful for Christ coming as a babe in the manger and then dying on the cross for our sins, but we forget what Christ really took upon Himself. As I have approached this season, I am reminded of the fact that Jesus left heaven for me. He gave up all the glories of heaven to come to this earth. As Isaiah 9:6, 7 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
He IS the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace! The increase of HIS government and peace there shall be no end! I cannot even begin to imagine why He would be willing to leave heaven and come to this earth for me. But the wonderful truth is that He did! He came to die for my sins and yours. His purpose for coming was to take upon Himself the punishment for our sin and pay with His life to give US life.
John 20:31 says, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
Romans 10:9, 10 say, “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 with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
There are many gifts that you would probably enjoy receiving at this time of the year, but there is no greater gift then the one Christ provides for you. His promise of spending an eternity in heaven with Him is found in believing in the Savior who came to die for your sin. There is nothing that we can do to earn heaven, but simply believe by faith that Christ is the only way to heaven and accept that free gift. If you do not know Christ as your Savior this would be a wonderful time to know for sure that you are on your way to heaven. JESUS LEFT HEAVEN FOR YOU!
Devotional submitted by:
Jeff Borchardt
Assistant Pastor
Calvary Baptist Church
Jefferson, WI