Perfect gift came a long time ago

As we prepare to celebrate various holidays this week, some of us may still be looking for the perfect gift. It gives me some pause to consider that the truly perfect gift came long ago, in the form of an unparalleled sacrifice.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Here we see the greatest gift given with the greatest motivation for the greatest good.

I would not be so cliché as to quote the overused “Jesus is the reason for the season,” especially since the Christmas season’s origins have little to do with Jesus Christ. But I desire everyone, regardless of your spiritual background or holiday ambitions, consider that a great gift has been given to all of us, a gift that is free, paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

This gift is eternal life, a life after death. This wonderful gift is free, but not unconditional. That is to say we cannot hope to earn it, but God has the right to make conditions that we must meet to receive it. Hence we are told often what we must “do to be saved” (Acts 16:20). “Whoever believes in him,” “faith which comes from hearing God’s word, and a confession of that faith” (Romans 10:9, 17).

Repentance and being baptized (Acts 2:38). A life that walks by this same faith — this is the condition to receive the wonderful grace of God.

Brian Haines, Tucumcari