Happy New Year
I couldn't say this any better. When I saw the title I knew exactly what was in store. If your tree isn't down and there's one more present hidden away in the back of it, take the time open it! What better way to start off the new year. (Printed by permission.)
The Last Unopened Gift
Did you see it? You may have missed it...but it was there. Don't feel bad, most people overlook this one. But there is still time. Today, before the new year gets started; before all the decorations get put away; before all the other gifts are set aside, open it!
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The gift of God. Why do so many people miss His gift? One reason might be the rather ordinary wrapping; "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). We've all heard the story about being born with the animals; "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:7).
Yes, such a great gift in so common of wrapping could be easily missed. But perhaps there is something else, something in the very makeup of our nature which keeps us from opening His gift.
A prince has no problem accepting a gift meant for a prince. And a common person has no problem accepting a gift which is common. But a common person can be quite uncomfortable accepting a gift meant for a prince. We know what's inside the gift - eternal life - a gift meant for a prince...and deep down we know we are so very common.
If the gift is too great, too much above what we feel we deserve, we feel uncomfortable. "If we accept the gift will we then feel a debt? How could we ever repay such a debt? Maybe it's best to ignore it and just leave it wrapped under the tree."
Again, don't be too hard on yourself. This is a natural reaction to such a gift. Ever since the gift was first made available people have felt unworthy and refused to open the gift. They would rather try to somehow work and feel deserving; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The gift cannot be earned and working does not make us more deserving.
Jesus Christ came in ordinary wrapping. He died for the forgiveness of our sin. Why? So we could be given the greatest gift of all, the gift of eternal life! Let's not let another day go by without receiving His gift. Sure we might feel uncomfortable. Sure we might feel a debt we can never repay. But His gift is given in love and is worth it all. Let's honestly examine what is keeping us away. Let's humbly recognize our need, and in the quiet of our heart let's be sure to receive the last unopened gift.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
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