The Gift That Keeps On Giving...The Gift Of Sanctification

Every Christmas people spend a lot of time and frustration trying to find that “perfect” gift. Many find this experience to be a hard feat.  Can someone really find the “perfect” gift? A gift that will never wear out, not break, not fade, not rust, not need fixing, not tear up, not have to be returned, or re-gifted? Just thinking about finding that perfect gift can bring anxiousness. In keeping true to the reason for the season, we do have a gift that is the perfect gift.

Those of us who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior will be celebrating Christmas, the time of year we celebrate Jesus’ birth.  If we have Him as our Lord and Savior, and many of us do, then we should want to share the good news about Him to our friends and family. The Gospel, (John 3:16), is the gift that never wears out or tears up, and a gift that nobody will want to return. Therefore, having Him as our Lord and Savior, provides us the responsibility to share that gift that God gives us. It is a gift from God to us for His glory, and for us to give our families and friends. As Travis Agnew recently said, “the best gift we can give Him is the keys to our life.” Our life in His hands, and our growth in Him is the gift I am talking about, namely our sanctification.

According to John Piper in the book, Acting the Miracle, “The English word for sanctify or sanctification is built on the Latin word, sanctus, which means “holy.” Paul reminds us in 1 Peter 1:16 to “be holy, for I am holy.” In order to be more holy, we must grow in our walk with Christ. That’s why this post references, “the gift that keeps on giving,” namely our faith in Christ, and our growth in him. Our growth in Him is vitally important. God has chosen us to share his Good News to all people. In a sense then, family, friends, neighbors, visitors, and people are somewhat dependent on our growth in Christ.  It’s not just a Christmas gift or a New Year’s resolution, rather it is an ongoing walk with our Lord and Savior. May we be faithful to learn and grow in Him this coming year. Further, may we share our gift of Jesus with others.

The famous preacher Charles Spurgeon says, "If He gives you the grace to make you believe, He will give you the grace to live a holy life afterward." (Sermon, "Justification by Grace").

May you and your family and friends have a Merry Christmas as we worship and celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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