(Photo cred: Pixabay.com via PEXELS.com)
(Originally written for Douglas County Publishing: Pastor's Meditation December 4, 2018)
As for you, you were
dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you
followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the
spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived
among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and
following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of
wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us
alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you
have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the
heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show
the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ
Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For
we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:1-10).
One of the differences
between my wife and I is our individual feelings about giving gifts. I love to
give gifts. I think it probably goes back to my growing up years celebrating
Christmas with extended families. It wasn’t just that there were lots of
presents under the tree, but it was the whole process. We would make wish lists,
pull names, and then on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we got to watch a
loved one open their present with a smile. It felt good, even if it was my
parents and not me who paid for that gift.
Now with a wife, family, and money of my own, it’s something
that I look forward even more. I enjoy trying to find presents that I think my
kids will love and be so excited to open. I want to hear their joy and see them
play or use whatever we’ve bought for them. There’s a bit of selfishness and/or
pride here that I need to address.
My wife, on the other hand, is not near as excited as me when
it comes to giving gifts. Partly it’s her character, partly it’s a difference
in our upbringings. She would rather just save the money or put it towards
something like a vacation. She leans towards practical or utilitarian gifts.
While this sometimes makes it hard to buy for her or bounce ideas around with,
I know she helps keep me from going overboard.
As we enter into the season of all sorts of Christmas
festivities, it’s easy to think of popular sayings and sentiments which get us
back to what CHRIST-mas is all about. “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
“Jesus is the greatest gift of all.” It’s not necessarily wrong to decorate our
homes and towns with festive greenery, lights, and snowy pictures or host
parties or give gifts around this time of year. We can have fun. But it is important
for us to regularly remember that the one true God has sent his one and only
Son named Jesus as one of us to this earth. He lived perfectly obedient. He was
crucified and died sacrificially. He rose from the grave, coming back to life.
And he continues to live, having ascended into heaven, from where he will one
day return.
Those historical events for which Christmas marks the birth
of Jesus are wonderful news! We believe that what Jesus did, the mission or
purpose which God sent him for, was to save those he loves, who believe in him
and repent from their sins. Jesus died once for all so that we don’t have to
experience hell, the just punishment for our sinfulness, if we believe in him. Romans
6:23 tells us, For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus
took our punishment on himself and gives us grace, promising that we will get
to live with him forever. The holiday of Christmas gives us a regular reminder
that God had this plan, and in the season of Advent, which began Sunday, we
look forward to his coming again.
But let us not mistake the gift of grace for the One who
decided and made a way and promises to give grace. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in
mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in
transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up
with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ
Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the
incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ
Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and
this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no
one can boast.
Grace is not just a concept or a doctrine or the mysterious
way of the universe for the future. It isn’t just thousands of chances for all
of us to have something to look forward to. The familiar hymn “Grace Greater
Than Our Sin” has us sing, “Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon
and cleanse within; grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than our
sin…Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe.”
It is all about grace, there is redemption and reconciliation that we cannot
earn. But the “Marvelous grace [is] of our loving Lord,” it required “the blood
of the Lamb [being] spilt.” It is “GOD’S grace,” and “you that are longing to
see his face, will you this moment HIS grace receive?”
It’s wonderful to be recipients of the gift of grace. It
truly is the greatest gift that anyone can have. I pray that if you’ve never
received it, today might be the day that you receive God’s invitation. Let us
not forget grace is given by God. It is his design, it is given out of his perfect
and righteous love, and it is for his glory. We cannot try to receive or claim this
saving grace without knowing God, without believing in him, without trusting
his word and will for our lives. As you have opportunity to give and receive
gifts this Christmas, remember God gives grace!
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