Have you ever shopped for the perfect gift for someone you really loved? You wanted to make sure it was something they could use. Once you found this special gift, price was no object. Remember the joy you had watching your special gift being opened? How would you have felt if your gift was refused and pushed aside? You would have been crushed.
Imagine how God must feel when His special gift is pushed aside . God has given each of us a very special gift, His Son. "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." John 3:16
God gave us His Son because we are all sinners. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10 As sinners, we all fall short of God's required righteousness. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;..." Romans 3:23
Because of our sin we deserve nothing less then death and eternity in the lake of fire. "For the wages of sin is death:" Romans 6:23a "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Revelation 21:8
God knew that since we do not have our own righteousness, someone else would have to provide it. He sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross. He would be judged guilty of every sin that we have ever committed. "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 When He arose from the dead, it showed God's justice was satisfied. Because Christ was already judged guilty as your substitute, God now offers you a free gift of eternal life in Heaven. "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23B
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Just as you do not have to earn, pay for, or work for a Christmas gift or birthday gift given to you; God offers you His gift free. All you have to do is accept it. "But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:" John 1:12 Please do not push aside God's special gift, it cost Him the best the best He had, His only Son. Accept His gift today! Here is how: "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." Romans 10:9-10
Believing in your heart, pray a simple prayer like this: "Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that nothing I can do could ever save me from the eternal torment I deserve in hell. Thank you for sending Jesus to be my substitute. Please forgive me of my sin and give me a home in Heaven like You said You would. Today I accept Jesus as the full payment for all my sin's penalty. Thank you for your wonderful gift. Amen."
If you prayed this prayer or one like it. and meant it in your heart, you have accepted God's very special gift.
I would like to hear from you if you have trusted Christ through this message, if it has been a blessing to you, or if I can be of any spiritual help to you.
