“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NLT).
I noticed the gift under the Christmas tree with my name on it. I admired the beautiful wrapping paper, matching bow, and perfectly folded corners and thought, maybe I will not open this right now so I can enjoy the beautiful wrapping.
What is the gift of salvation?
Did you ever not unwrap a gift? Of course not! We unwrap our gifts to enjoy them, and thank the giver.
Similarly, God offers us a priceless gift to unwrap and enjoy. Scripture says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NLT).
In the beginning, God created us in His image to love us and enjoy a perfect relationship with Him (Genesis 1:26-27 NLT). However, sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and damaged the relationship between God and mankind (Genesis 3:4-5). From then on, God banished Adam and Eve from the garden and they would no longer live forever.
God is perfect, and we are not. Therefore, sin separates us from God. Just like for Adam and Eve, the penalty for sin is eternal physical and spiritual death.
However, God sent His Son Jesus to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice. He paid the debt for us. Because of God’s grace, we receive what we do not deserve, eternal life. And we also receive mercy, since we don’t get the punishment we deserve, never-ending death.
As a result, God restored His relationship with us and forgave all our sins — past, present, and future. When we decide to accept the gift of salvation from God, the Holy Spirit lives within us and eternal life is ours with Jesus.
How do I receive the gift of salvation?
The first step is to believe God loves you so much. He sent His son Jesus to die in your place. Believe God forgives you and removes your guilt, because Jesus paid your debt of sin (John 3:16) (Romans 10:9).
Next, confess your sins to yourself and God. Ask the Holy Spirit for a heart change to realize how you dishonored God (1 John 1:9).
Finally, repent, which means change your mind. Turn away from sin, and turn to Jesus. He rose from the dead and is alive to help you become a new creation and live a life pleasing to God.
Give up fear, anxiety, and bondage to sin. Instead, choose love, joy, peace, and freedom. Above all, plug into the power that raised Jesus from the dead and rejoice!
My Story
Even though I accepted Jesus when very young, I abandoned my childhood faith when I left home for college. I lived a selfish and sinful life and carried heavy baggage from rejection and divorce. I depended on a man for happiness until a cancer diagnosis changed my life.
Discovering a small white Bible started me on my journey to rededicate my life to Jesus, who saved me from my sins and bad outcomes from cancer. Now I realize no one will ever love me as much as God. I treasure my relationship with Him, the most important relationship in my life.
Do not wait to accept the gift of salvation
The Jewish tradition calls the ten days between Rosh Hashana (Feast of the Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) the Yamim Noraim or the Days of Awe. Jews believe that on Yom Kippur, God seals your eternal destiny forever. Therefore, the Days of Awe are the last opportunity for repentance.
How does this affect Christians now? In The Book of Mysteries, Jonathan Cahn explains the Days of Awe, considering Jesus. There will be a Day of Judgement when “your destiny is sealed, for one way or another.”
He writes, “So if you would ever get right with God, get right with God now. If you would ever make things right with others, make things right with them now… For the time you have left on earth is nothing less than the Yamim Noraim… your Days of Awe.” 1
Jesus said, “Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment” (John 5:28-29, NLT).
Final thoughts
Have you accepted and unwrapped the gift of salvation from God? Our time on earth is short because these are our Days of Awe. Don’t wait, Jesus invites you now!
Prayer
Pray this prayer or a similar one. Call on the power of the Holy Spirit to unwrap the gift of salvation, change your heart, and change your life.
Dear God and Heavenly Father, I confess I have sinned against you and my selfish ways kept me from loving you. I trust you forgive me, love me and will save me from my selfish ways. Your loving arms wrap around me and you call me your child. I give my life to you. Thank you for Your gift of salvation. Help me trust you and to live a life pleasing to you beginning today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Reference
- Cahn, J. (2018). The Book of Mysteries. Lake Mary, FL: FrontLine.
