Jump Start # 995

2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

  This is the season for gifts. Many are busy purchasing gifts that we hope will bring joy and happiness to another person. Sometimes we wonder if the gift will even be remembered a year later. Some people are easy to buy for. Others are hard.

Our passage today reminds us of the best gift of all, Salvation. The Ephesians were told that grace is a gift of God. Let us never forget that God does not owe us salvation. He doesn’t have to forgive us. Also, let us never forget that gifts come with condition, responsibilities and they ought to generate a true thankfulness from our hearts. Without God’s gift, Heaven would not be possible. Without God’s gift we would all be lost. God took us, not when we were the poster children of obedience, but just the opposite. While we were yet sinners, the Romans were told, Christ died for us. One of the greatest verses in all the Bible, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” God gave.

Two thoughts I want to share:

First, God gave the best that He had. He didn’t send an angel for us. He didn’t send another person for us, He sent His son, the Best of Heaven. God didn’t go cheap for us. The blood of Jesus is precious. The gift of Christ was costly—He died upon the cross. No one should ever feel that they have been cheated or overlooked by God. Christ died for all. The gift is available for all. That is the only gift ever that has been for all people of all time. I watched a college football game a few days ago. During halftime, two young people were chosen to throw as many footballs as they could into a target. The winner got a check for $100,000 to be used for their college. That was an amazing gift. It went to only one person. I have put four kids through college. I didn’t get $100,000 for that. I wonder how many watching that game could not go to college because of the expense. That gift was limited. God’s is not like that. The man who walked the streets of London 200 years ago, the person that ate the loaves and fish that Jesus multiplied, the college professor in America, the African that was taken aboard a slave ship in the 1700’s and brought to another country would have never met each other. They lived in different time periods and their world was very different. Their language, dress, and needs were different. However, God’s gift was for each of them. God’s gift is as new in the days of Jesus as it is for you and I today. It is never out dated, nor out of place. God gave you the best. God gave you Christ.

The second thought from this is that the best gift we can give is not found in a store. The gift of time, friendship, love and caring. The gift of listening. The gift of compassion. The gift of touch. Our consumerism often compels us to sink deep into debt this time of year because we have to get the “right” gift. The best gift is you. Consider taking a moment and writing down a heartfelt thank you to someone who has made a difference in your life. Maybe you have never said that to your parents. Maybe there was a friend in the past who stuck with you or a mentor that made a difference in your life. There may have been an friend who helped you when you were down spiritually. They stuck with you and believed in you. They poured time into you. It helped. Look where you are today. Many of us would not be where we are if it wasn’t for that person. Tell them thank you. Take the time to have lunch with someone who is special to you. The gift of you is one of the greatest gifts. Life is precious and short. Most of us have more than enough stuff. What we really need and want is love shared and friendship expressed. Consider visiting someone in the congregation. Spend some time with them. The days of “visiting” are nearly gone. A younger generation has never seen the value of it. Young folks making cookies and visiting older members is timeless. The love, laughter and joy is one of the best gifts received.

This time of year is busy. There is a lot going on. Carving out time for one another is well worth it. It is something that will long be remembered.

God gave His best. The best that we can give is our selves. There is a connection.

Live as if you have one foot already in Heaven!

Roger