I love a good gift, not necessarily an expensive one, but a good one. I appreciate when someone takes me into consideration, my likes, and interests, and gives me a gift that’s meaningful. The gifts I’ve gotten over the course of my life have undoubtedly helped me become a more thoughtful gift-giver and a gracious recipient of gifts.
Ultimately, if anyone of us is without an example of what giving good gifts looks like, we can always gaze up towards heaven. God has given us the greatest gift of all, His Son.
During a quiet night Nicodemus, a pious Pharisee, and a member of the Sanhedrin came to Jesus to inquire about how one could be born again. Nicodemus’ confusion sparks a conversation and right in the middle of his perplexities, Jesus says one of the most quoted scriptures.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
You may have questions about God that storm through your mind at night. Perhaps, like Nicodemus, you are always in deep contemplation about what it means to be saved or how one is born again. Rest assure, the answer is and always be Jesus. He is the solution to every one of your questions. Through Him, belief and baptism in Him, we are saved. We are born again, spiritually, and adopted as true children of God.
Jesus wanted Nicodemus to know what I believe He still wants us to know in 2017. We are born again when we believe in the One God gave us, Jesus. We cannot be born again unless we consider that Jesus is the Gift that God chose to give us. What a joy to serve a God who gave us the gift of Jesus out of deep love for us.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
The love of God moved Him to demonstrate love when we did not love to Him. Love moved God to give of His best when we were still at our worst. I am thankful for this kind of love that gives even when I am undeserving of its presence in my life.
Love is generous. Love is an act of taking what’s in our hearts or hands and graciously extending it towards someone else.
Love is God and God is love.
“For God so loved that He gave…”
Love + Light,
Erika Kimberly
#tobepraised