What is the greatest gift you’ve ever received?
Over the years, I’ve received some pretty lame and hilarious gifts. This year, during our family white elephant gift party, I was the lucky recipient of two dolls and a Chucky blanket. Let’s just say they never made it to the shelf of my man cave.
Gifts are tricky because you never know if the person you’re giving the gift to will actually like it. That’s why UPS will handle an estimated 60 million returns this year. People just don’t know what the perfect gift is anymore.
There is actually only one person in the history of the world who gave the perfect gift. That’s God. He loved you so much that he gave you his son Jesus. And in all reality, Jesus is the greatest gift you will ever receive.
In case you doubt me, here are three reasons why Jesus is the greatest gift.
In Jesus, your sins are forgiven.
There’s a thought floating around that people are inherently good. Which is actually contrary to what God says about us. He says, “Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23)
The Bible also says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)
When you say you’re without sin, you’re really saying, “God, you’re wrong.” This is a problem because God is neither wrong nor capable of doing wrong.
Sin is the biggest problem you have in life. So, the question is, what’s the answer to your sin?
The apostle Paul had this same question, but he also had the answer. He said, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24-25)
Jesus is the greatest gift because “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
In Jesus, you have a reason for living.
People all over the world struggle with their purpose in life. Sin has a way of clouding it. But that’s what makes the forgiveness of your sins so amazing. Jesus doesn’t just forgive your sins and walk away. Instead, he gives you a full life.
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:7-10)
God gave you Jesus so you can have your sins forgiven and live a full life in him.
In Jesus, you have a home in heaven.
Your body is not going to live forever. Sorry to dash your dreams. But your spirit will.
This is precisely why we need God’s greatest gift, Jesus. Because of Jesus and his sacrifice for your sins on the cross, you are promised eternal life, not death.
Jesus said, “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:13-16)
The ones who believe in Jesus as God’s greatest gift have their sins forgiven, a reason for living, and a home in heaven.
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