On that first Christmas Day, we were given that kind of gift.
Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given. Is 9:6
For God so loved the world – US – that He gave His only begotten Son. Jn 3:16
The real gift of Christmas is definitely Jesus, however, within this precious gift, we are given a myriad of wonderful gifts.
In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul is overwhelmed with this reality.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in heaven IN CHRIST.
Just that verse alone is mind-blowing. Within the gift of Christ is EVERY spiritual blessing! It will take eternity to discover all them that bless our lives. Psalms 31:19 declares, “How great is Your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear You, which you have wrought for those who take refuge in You before the sons of men.” Gifts within the Gift of Christ with your name on them!
Accordingly, He chose us IN HIM before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.
In love, He predestined [decided before we were ever created for] us to be adopted as sons THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise and glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us IN THE BELOVED.
IN HIM, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.
In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will [which according to 2 Corinthians 5:19 is God was IN CHRIST reconciling the world to Himself], according to the kind intention which He publicly displayed IN HIM with a view to an administration [a stewardship/distribution] of the fullness of times [accumulation of everything from eternity past to this moment] – the summing up of all things IN CHRIST, things in heaven and things on earth.
IN HIM, also, we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose, who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
IN HIM, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed IN HIM with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
In the gift of Christ, we are given gift after gift after gift – grace upon grace upon grace. Here are a few according to Ephesians 1:
· Reality of being holy and blameless
· Adoption as a full-right child of God
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us that we would be called children of God, AND WE ARE! 1 Jn 3:1
· Redemption
· Forgiveness
· Knowledge, wisdom and understanding
· Inheritance
There are more:
· Salvation (Ephesians 2:8)
· Righteousness (Romans 5:17)
· Eternal life (Romans 6:23)
· The love of God (Romans 8:39)
· Hope (Romans 15:12)
· Every promise of God (2 Corinthians 1:20)
… the list goes on and on to the praise and glory of grace.
James 1:17 says, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadows.” All these are given to us IN CHRIST.
Foremost, within the Gift of Christ is the gift of the Holy Spirit – another gift of gifts. This gift includes:
· His attributes:
o Love
o Joy
o Peace
o Patience
o Kindness
o Goodness
o Gentleness
o Faithfulness
o Self-control
· Spiritual gifts chosen specifically for each of us. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. Rm 12:6 Each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 1 Cor. 7:7
· These gifts have a specific purpose: But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Cor. 12:7 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1Pet. 4:10
· His enabling and empowering.
There is a vital reason why the Gift of Christ includes the Gift of the Holy Spirit: ALL these gifts need a power source. Without Him it is like xgiving a devise, toy or tool without batteries or power cord. They WILL NOT work as intended without a source of power. The gifts of Christ also need a direct connection – partnership – with the power of the Holy Spirit. We need His empowering! In Colossians 1:11, Paul prayed that we would be “strengthened with all power according to His glorious might.” None of these gifts are going to function as intended without partnering with God through the Holy Spirit.
We have to recognize that He alone is the true power source or as Deuteronomy 8:17, 18 states: Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘my power and the strength of my hand made this wealth [or whatever possible.]’ But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is HE who is giving you power to make wealth [do whatever] …” It is “not by might or by power, but by MY SPIRIT,” says the Lord of hosts. Zech 4:6
I love that the Holy Spirit is included in the Gift of Christ, but it is up to us to plug in. It is then we are enabled and empowered, to the praise of His glory. We can confidently state as Micah did in Micah 7:8 “I am filled with power – with the Spirit of the Lord.” Lord, I am plugged in and fully charged! Together, let’s go!
The entire gift of Christ including the gift of the Holy Spirit has my name on it. It has YOUR name on it. It is given to you to be accepted by faith. The reality of all this should prompt in us the overwhelmed unrestrained gratitude of 2 Corinthians 9:15
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT!
What is the best way to express genuine gratitude for a gift? USE IT! The Gift of Christ and the Gift of His Spirit is freely bestowed on us IN THE BELOVED, but just like every other gift we will be given this Christmas, it is up to us what we do with these gifts of grace and glory.
