The Greatest Gift Never Received

  On a recent visit to London I repeatedly saw buses with advertisements on the side. One said, "The right gift, at the right price." It was publicity for a mobile phone company, which hoped to convince the public to purchase phones as Christmas gifts. However, they overstated their case, as the right gift is certainly not a mobile phone that can be lost, stolen, broken or outdated in a short time.

    The right gift is the gift God gives: "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). This is the right gift because it is a good and perfect gift (James 1:17) which descends from above. God's gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners, is the greatest gift that most people have never received. We are told of it over and over in the Scriptures.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).  it is the right gift because it comes from God, from heaven, with love. It is right because it's purpose is to keep us from perishing. To PERISH is to Pass Eternally Ruined Into Satan's Habitation. What a great gift, in the Person of Christ, that delivers us from eternal perdition and gives us eternal life! It's the right gift, and a uniquely great gift, because it comes in person, not in a box. It's a personal gift, God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. To those who repent from their sins and place their trust in Him, He says: "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish" (John 10:28). Friend, you will never find a better gift than that. No expiry date. No need to be replaced. It can't be lost, stolen or broken. Forgiveness and new life that lasts forever.

     And the price is right. Not a cent must you pay. God's gift is EXPENSIVE, it cost Him the life of His Son, who died being punished for your sins so that God could offer you forgiveness and life. You owed a debt you could not pay. He paid a debt He did not owe. And now He offers you the great, unique, divine gift of eternal life, freely. "Being justified freely by his grace" (Romans 3:24) is what Scripture says. "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

      There is no lasting gift that any store, religion or philosophy can give you. Medicine and science cannot give you any such gift. Only Jesus Christ can do it. To have that gift, eternal life, you must have Him. "He that hath the Son, hath life" (1 John 5:12) is Heaven's promise. But many religious people don't have Him. They have their customs and traditions, their rites and liturgies, their prayers and candles and songs, but they don't have Christ. "He that hath not the Son of God, hath not life."

    God has given a great gift, but many have not received it. Year after year uncountable multitudes celebrate "Christmas" and give and receive little gifts that soon will be forgotten or outdated, as they continue on the broad path that leads to destruction, heading into eternity without Christ, without eternal life. Friend, will you stop today and consider God's great gift, repent of your sin and by faith receive His Son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? In Him you will be forgiven, redeemed, and have the great gift of eternal life. It's the right gift, at the right price!