Scripture
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins." (Romans 3:23-25)
Observation
I’ve always loved Christmas! As a child, the gifts of Christmas were what I looked forward to all year. Being able to wish for toys, electronics, and things I could never afford or earn on my own was like a dream come true! I didn’t have a job or my own money, so the only way I could get these unobtainable dream items was to be given them by someone else. And when I received them the joy was undeniable, the gratitude was inexpressible, and the excitement was palpable. There’s something about a gift received by someone who could never achieve it, earn it, or purchase it on their own that creates a truly special moment. This came to mind today as I read through Romans 3. With Christmas shopping on my mind, it was as though the word “gift” leapt off the page, as I read:
“...and are justified by his grace as a gift...”
I had to go back and see what this “gift” was. Paul declares that every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, and because of that, every man is doomed to judgment and punishment. Every person has failed, and every person is destined to experience the effects of that failure. There’s nothing anyone could ever do to achieve freedom, to earn forgiveness, or to purchase propitiation because we just don’t have the means. Herein lies the context for this “gift”. Completely unattainable and unachievable was this forgiveness and freedom, but God, by His grace, gave a “gift” of redemption in Jesus. What an incredible gift! I wonder...I wonder if we’ve lost perspective on how huge this truly is. I wonder if we’ve grown calloused to the magnitude of this gift.
Application
Like the joy, the gratitude, the excitement of a child during Christmas who wishes for toys they could never afford or earn, may we express joy, gratitude, and excitement for the gift we could never afford or earn: salvation in Jesus. As we go out to buy gifts, as we create wishlists of the gifts we desire, as we give gifts to our loved ones, may we take time to remember and rejoice in the Gift our God has given and what Christmas is truly all about.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank You! Thank You for Your grace, Your salvation, Your deliverance, and for Your eternal gift. Thank You that Jesus paid the price I couldn’t. Thank you that He made a way for a gift I could never achieve or earn on my own. May I have a heart like a child that experiences an undeniable joy, an inexpressible gratitude, and a palpable excitement for this unobtainable gift that You have given. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
