You have heard this term before; "The Gift that keeps on Giving"!!! For many people this gift can be represented by many things in this world. The one true gift that keeps on giving is that of Salvation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! That's sounds great and biblical but let's actually test the facts to see if this is true.
First, you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and you receive atonement from sin which frees you from the penalty of breaking the law. Simply you will not have to spend eternity in HELL!!! We could have received eternal rest with just our eyes closed in the dirt and that would have been just fine, rather than going to a burning lake of fire!!! John 3:16 "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."
Second, we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us the rest of our lives, which is God's Spirit that will go through the process of sanctifying us. So we have been saved from the penalty of death, then we get this Holy Spirit which intercedes on our behalf in prayer, gives us the power to over come temptations from the evil one, and transforms us from the sinful nature that was separated from God, to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ which allows us to have fellowship with God and reflect the light of Christ to the world. Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Third, we become co-heirs with Jesus Christ, as such we enter His Father's House and we will remain in Heaven for eternity once our last breath is taken on this earth. We not only escape the burning lake but then we get to live out eternity in this place where God the Father's presence is. John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Fourth, but not last, we get treasures based on our level of stewardship in this life and how well we run the race that God created us for. So we learn through the Word of God that we are not just here by happenstance and that our salvation is not the end of our journey in this life. We were created with a purpose and allowing the Holy Spirit to perform it through us please's God. So we, in our own effort, do not have to perform, but just be willing vessels to move when God calls us to move. By doing so God interns rewards us with riches and treasures and a position of purpose in Heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
To wrap up, we accept the gift of Christ as our Lord and Savior and He performed all the work necessary for our salvation. We accept God's Will for our lives and the Holy Spirit does all the work to complete His purpose through us, all we have to do is be a faithful steward of the gift. Sounds like all we are required to do is make the right choices and the rest is in the hands of the The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, what a gift!!! Sadly, many today as yesterday have not received the gift because the wrapping is not appealing enough to them, their eyes have been blinded by their own desires. The gift of Salvation is the only gift on the face of this earth that has NO expiration date!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
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