He Gave Himself
As the holiday season approaches we find ourselves in the giving mood. Giving of ourselves includes giving of our time, efforts and finances in the hope of helping others and improving our community and surroundings. It’s often referred to as the Season of Giving and is surrounded with celebrations. The holidays tend to make our giving seasonal as we attempt to find that holiday spirit. But as believers we know the One who’s giving was and is constant, our Lord Jesus Christ.
The book of Galatians begins with, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Because of God’s gift of grace we get to experience His peace. Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins. Think about that; it truly is the gift that keeps giving. Although I don’t want to sin I still do. I need His gift of grace on a daily basis. There is nothing that I can add to His grace to save myself. No works or actions can be added to what He has already done on the cross. He gave Himself. He gave His all. It’s Jesus plus nothing!
He showed us that when you give yourself, you have given everything – who you are, what you have, your time, your talent- everything. He gave Himself. He couldn’t give any more. (J.Vernon McGee) Do we give that way? Is our giving of ourselves seasonal or constant?
As the ultimate gift He took our place on the cross, died for our sins and rose from the dead so that He might deliver us from this present evil world. He is our Rescuer, our Savior and our Lord. He did it all according to the will of God our Father and His deliverance has nothing to do with the law or our own efforts; it simply requires our acceptance.
God’s will is that none should perish but have eternal life and because of that He made a way through Christ to make it possible. Now that is cause for celebrating just as the verse states, “To whom be glory forever and ever.”
Each morning when we rise is an opportunity to praise God. We can thank Him for a new day whether the sun is shining or the snow is blowing. A new day is a new opportunity to experience more of Him and because Jesus gave His all, we will never exhaust the many ways to live a new life in Him. And in living for Him we can share the message of grace with others so that they too can experience the peace of God.
My Prayer
Father, I thank you for Your desire that none should perish but have eternal life and that through Christ, You made that possible. Salvation has nothing to do with me except for accepting what You have already done. Thank you Lord! I accept Your gift of grace and choose to live life through You and for You. You are my Lord and Savior and I know that there is no other name by which we are saved than Jesus. In your precious name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Acts 4:10-12
It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”