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1 Peter 1:14-21, Christmas Gifts, Ephesians 1:3-4, Ephesians 2:8-10, God's greatest gift to man!, Have you received the gift?, Jesus saves from sin, Jesus Saves!, Jesus saves--Only Jesus!, John 17:24, Peace with God, Romans 11:36, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 6:23, Saved by grace, Sin IS the issue, The greatest Christmas Gift is Jesus
The Lamb Of God–Sin Offering!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #52
Christmas is about Jesus and how HE came to pay for our sin so that we wouldn’t have to pay for our own sin! For SIN IS the issue!
“For all have sinned,
and come short
of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
Our sin debt is due–we sinned–we owe the debt for that sin! BUT GOD–oh, how I love that phrase, BUT GOD–had a plan for our redemption before we ever sinned! Thank YOU, Jesus, for being willing to come and “dwell among us” to die for me! God’s gift to all who will come to YOU!
“For the wages of sin
is death;
but the gift of God
is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Yet, I am totally amazed that God could love us so much as to know we would sin, but HE had already made preparation in Jesus to deliver us, if we will be repent (turn from my own sin–make a 180 from my own way to God) and come to Jesus in faith, trusting in HIS substitutionary (He stood in my place), atoning (He erased my debt with His own blood), sacrifice (His life of sinless perfection given up on the cross for MY SIN!)! All this because God loves us from before “the beginning”!
So, I’d simply like to lay out some scriptures for us to ponder today and through this season of celebrating our Savior’s birth!
“Father,
I will that they also,
whom thou hast given me,
be with me where I am;
that they may behold my glory,
which thou hast given me:
for thou lovedst me
before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24 (Jesus’ prayer before going to Calvary)
We are chosen by God’s grace, mercy, and love!
“Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us
with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places
in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us
in him
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy
and without blame
before him
in love:” Ephesians 1:3-4
The Apostle Peter also declared this truth.
“As obedient children,
not fashioning yourselves
according to the former lusts
in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you
is holy,
so be ye holy
in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written,
Be ye holy;
for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father,
who without respect of persons
judgeth according to every man’s work,
pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know
that ye were not redeemed
with corruptible things,
as silver and gold,
from your vain conversation
received by tradition
from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world,
but was manifest
in these last times for you,
21 Who by him
do believe in God,
that raised him up from the dead,
and gave him glory;
that your faith and hope
might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:14-21
So, my friends, what will we do with this wonderful gift that God has given to all who will believer and receive HIM, Jesus? Paul said it best:
“For of him,
and through him,
and to him,
are all things:
to whom be glory
for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36
The gift is provided by God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–if we will only repent of our sin and turn to Jesus in faith!
“For by grace
are ye saved
through faith;
and that
not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works,
lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
unto good works,
which God hath before ordained
that we should walk
in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
I pray that you will find hope, strength, and courage in The Lord Jesus whose birth we celebrate with joy and thankfulness in our hearts–for HE came to give HIS LIFE for me and you! May God’s peace reign over your heart and mind, not just at Christmas time, but every day of your journey here on planet Earth!
“Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access
by faith
into this grace
wherein we stand,
and rejoice
in hope
of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2
Amen and Amen!!!