Package Deal

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

-- Luke 11:13

For many folks, receiving and opening presents is the highlight of their Christmas morning. But giving to others is also satisfying--especially when the gift is significant or has a story behind it. So imagine how you would feel if you bought a particularly expensive gift while overseas, waited patiently while it passed through customs and then paid extra to ship it back home. Then later you discovered that the recipient had never even bothered to open the box!

God has also gone to extreme lengths to offer us a costly, precious gift that we can never afford and don't deserve: total forgiveness of our sins plus salvation through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. But as with any other gift, it's worthless unless we unwrap the package and accept its contents. This involves:

• Accepting it with gratitude (because we didn't pay for it)
• Accepting it with humility (because we could never afford it)
• Accepting it with joy (because God chose us when we didn't deserve it)

"In the Scriptures God says, 'When the time came, I listened to you, and when you needed help, I came to save you,'" writes the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians. "That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved."

Christmas is almost here. But you don't have to wait until December 25 to open a priceless gift that has your name written all over it. In fact, the Giver invites you to start untying the bows and shredding the wrapping paper--right now!