The Greatest Gift 3!

The Greatest Gift 3

By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him. 1 JOHN 4:9 AMP

Love, the way it is defined by God, is always practical. It can be seen, felt, tasted and even touched. I can't claim to love you the way God wants, and there will not be something I could tie the love to: it could be my gift of time, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a bed for the night, a hot meal for the journey ahead. It is never about money or possession, but a heart that has received grace and is quick to extend the same grace to other people. That's the kind of love the presence of Love himself can birth in us, if we allow Him.

A gift has been given; He is an unusual one and is a special gift too. This gift was given by God from his heart, because He was the best thing He had. He could have offered anything else, but he gave up his own Son, so we could be restored to Him. He wanted us to have His own life, so He gave up his own life to guarantee us that true life. And because Jesus is one of a kind, what we get is one of a kind.

With all that this present life offers, and the promises it makes to give you all you need to enjoy it, it cannot guarantee you eternal life. Everything the world gives you down here remains down here, and is only profitable down here. However, you can use what you are given down here to secure the true life that God has promised. True life is given and is available, full and free. True life does not ask me for a price; just faith in the finished work of Christ and a constant daily dependence on that finished work.

Don't just celebrate this season; celebrate the life given because you have and know Him, and because you know where you are headed. Don't focus on what goes in, but on the grace you have received which can change the world around you. Extend that grace out today, and watch God take glory in and through you. His time of favour is here.