The GiftSample

Around the Christmas season, you’ll probably hear that Jesus is the Perfect Gift or that you don’t need to share gifts with others because that is not what Christmas is about. Whether you participate in gift-giving during Christmas or not, the fact that Jesus was a Gift given to us by God rings true. That may be a cheesy way of thinking about it but it is the truth.

Do you have to pay anyone when you receive a gift? Is there a cost you have to pay when something is given to you on Christmas? Hopefully not. Just like the gifts we receive every year, Jesus is the year-round Gift that we can choose to accept or not. His Sacrifice and Payment for our sins were given for free.

There is nothing that we have to do to earn God’s Love. We don’t have to sacrifice animals like the Old Testament times anymore for our sins. Jesus, as the High Priest, intercedes now on our behalf to God instead of an Earthly priest on Atonement Day. Now, we have the gift of entering God’s Presence without a ritual of purification that we ourselves have to perform because it was already done by the Blood of Jesus on the Cross! What a Gift to receive! Eternal Life with our Creator, with our Savior, and with those who have surrendered their lives to Him!

Like the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus at His Birth, Jesus brings the Gift of Salvation to us and it is our choice to accept the Gift or reject it. Not only is it the Payment of our sin but it is the Promise of Victory over the enemy and over sin forever. There is no greater Gift that we can receive.

If you have chosen the gift of Salvation and proclaimed that Jesus is the Savior of the world, you know the life transformation that comes with that Gift. When we enter into a relationship with God and receive the Holy Spirit, there is no going back. Our lives should reflect Jesus more and more every day after choosing to follow Jesus. This is a lifelong Gift that keeps on giving…if you allow it. How has this Gift transformed your heart?

What does the fragrance of your life smell like? The aroma of the Gift of Jesus should linger everywhere you go. There is no person that you meet, no friend or family member of yours that should not see Jesus every time they talk to you. No, this does not mean that you need to preach the Gospel and recite John 3:16-17 to every single person, every single day. However, it does mean that you don’t gossip about others or use your words to tear someone down instead of building them up.

The aroma of Jesus in your life looks like loving people and having compassion for a friend when they are going through a rough time. It looks like choosing not to hate your sibling or your parents even when they may cause hurt with their words. What is the scent that you’re leaving with people after you talk to them? Do they see more of Jesus or more of you?

As we continue this week, these are the things we will be studying. Jesus is the Best Gift given to us by our Heavenly Father and we should share that Gift with others every day of our lives.