Submitted by David
Miller
These 2 questions
will be the ones most frequently asked of you in the aftermath of Christmas
Day. Say, "Great!" Talk about your new toys. But why not then usher
in the New Year by telling someone about the gift God gave you in the Christ of
Christmas.
The text of 1
John 4 emphasizes the gift God has given everyone who chooses to receive it. It
also provides a simple outline to guide your conversations with others about
Christ. I would like to share it with
you.
1. "God showed how much He loved us
by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him." (1 John 4:9, New
Living Translation) The gift of Christ demonstrates God's great love for us as well as the
promise of everlasting life.
2. "This is real love -- not that
we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our
sins." (1 John 4:10, NLT) Christ was
born with a specific purpose -- to die a sacrificial death on the cross that
would allow for the forgiveness of all who would believe in Him.
3. "And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in
Him and He in us." (1 John 4:13, NLT) Christ no longer walks among us in
human form, yet Christians do not live alone. God's Holy Spirit is available as
an ever-present comforter, counselor and guide.
4. "Furthermore, we have seen with
our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. All who
confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in
God." (1 John 4:14, 15, NLT) Just as any
gift must be received, God has invited everyone to receive His gift of a Savior
in Jesus.
Christmas may
have come and gone, but it is not too late for you to tell others of Jesus in
ways that authenticate God's deep love for you and them. Most people know of
the Christ in the manger. Today you could tell somebody the rest of the story
-- that of His life, death and resurrection.
Re-gift it.
Rewrap it. Use the same ribbon and bow. It's okay.
It is a type
of re-gifting God would want you to do.
