For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8
As a parent of young children, I am often given a list of many requests—anything from toys and games to shoes and clothes. When I respond to my children, I sometimes find myself sounding like my father who would say, “You need to learn how to appreciate the value of the gift before I can give it to you,” or, “Do you know how much that costs?” While I enjoy giving things to my children, my spirit of giving has limits!
Thankfully, our Heavenly Father, who knows all things, does not interact with us in the same manner. The Bible says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). What an awesome thought to know that while I was committing sins against God, He loved me so much that He already had the gift of salvation prepared for me. He sent His Son Jesus to suffer and die for my sins that I might be redeemed! What is even more mind-boggling to me is that I did nothing to earn His special gift of salvation. How could this be?
Most of us are taught that we are supposed to deserve a gift before we receive it. I am so glad God did not require that I appreciate the value of His Gift before I could receive it, and that He did not say to me, “Do you know how much it cost My Son to shed His Blood for you?” I would never have been able to earn salvation in my own strength, but by God’s grace, His perfect gift of salvation was available to me—and it is still available to all.
As we give presents to the ones we love this Christmas season, may we be reminded of the first Christmas Gift—the Savior Jesus Christ. That Gift was unearned and undeserved, but given out of God’s great love for us. Thank God for this marvelous Gift!