Free Gifts

Everyone enjoys free stuff, right? This is true especially if we are in need of something and God supplies it for us--free. I'm sure you've heard the illustration of every person having a God-shaped void that only He can fill. This is an eternal need that exists in every human being. God then supplied a free gift to meet that need:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23, NKJV

Most Christians have, at the very least, heard this verse once or twice in relation to salvation. Romans 6:23 is an excellent verse identifying the message of Christmas as well. But did you know that God's "free-gift-giving" does not end there? Consider another Romans passage:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5, NKJV

Did you notice all of the "free gifts" God has given His children? In case you didn't, here is what I noticed:

1. We have peace with God.
2. We have access to God's grace.
3. We stand in God's grace.
4. We can rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
5. We can glory in tribulations.
6. We have the love God in our hearts.
7. We have the Holy Spirit.
   

Someone once said that the best things in life are free. I would think that these few verses from Romans will support that thesis. If we receive no other "gifts" this Christmas, we should realize that we have already been given the most wonderful gifts by the God whose birth we celebrate, whose death we remember, and whose resurrection gives us hope.

Question: What better "gift" to give this year than to point someone to God's free gifts?