Article Display
Email  |  My Account  |  Donate
easterlilycrossOne way we show our love and affection for others is to give them gifts, and many of us do that throughout the year. We often put considerable thought into what we give the other person; the very act of giving is significant. God has the same love and affection for us, and we’re always on His mind. Two thousand years ago He gave us the best gift of all—His Son.

This was no ordinary gift. God gave us Jesus to defeat sin, show us what true love looks like, bring us peace, and restore the broken relationship between mankind and Himself. He knew in advance what the final outcome of Jesus’ coming to earth would be, but God gave anyway because of His great love for us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus was all of God’s best, combined into one man.

The Son was the perfect representation of the Father, who only gives us good things. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). When we don’t receive the bad that we deserve, that’s mercy; when we receive good that we don’t deserve, that’s grace. Jesus was the physical image of God’s mercy, and He demonstrated it repeatedly during His ministry. The mercy He showed to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11), the woman with a bleeding disorder who broke the law by touching His garment (Matt. 9:20-22), and the tax collector who stole from everyone (Luke 19:1-9) was deliberate and intentional.

Anyone who encountered Jesus came face-to-face with grace and truth. Grace is God’s undeserved, unearned favor, and He gave it to us abundantly in the form of Jesus. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Those who knew Jesus and believed in Him knew the truth. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31, 32).

Unlike ordinary gifts, what God gives us is eternal. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He offered peace, and He also gave the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’… So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:19, 21, 22). Supernatural peace and God’s Spirit are gifts that the world doesn’t have, and we receive them by faith in Jesus Christ.

God’s gift to us is meant to be shared, not kept for ourselves. Jesus was the ultimate giver and, by giving Him to other people, we receive from Him in even greater measure. Following Jesus’ example can put us in the spirit of giving all year long.



Copyright © Creflo Dollar Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Creflo A. Dollar
Web site: World Changers Church International
 
Creflo Dollar is a founder and senior pastor of World Changers Church International (WCCI). He's a world-renowned Bible teacher, sought-after conference speaker, and bestselling author with hundreds of books, CDs, and DVDs in distribution worldwide. Recognized for his cutting-edge revelation and humorous, pragmatic approach, he enables thousands to experience grace, restoration, healing, and financial breakthrough by applying simple, biblical principles to their lives. He is the author of such game-changing books as "The Radical Life of Grace" and "Why I Hate Religion", and his award-winning Changing Your World television broadcast reaches nearly 1 billion homes. His ministry includes an app available on mobile devices and smart TV's, a dedicated YouTube channel, and the Changing Your World Network, a 24-hour online channel. A thriving social media presence has allowed him to connect with World Changers worldwide.
Read more...

About Us

The online ministry of cfaith has been helping people discover faith, friends and freedom in the Word since 2000. Cfaith provides a unique and comprehensive collection of faith-building resources for the worldwide faith community.

At cfaith, you can strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of the Word of God by digging into the vast collection of teaching articles, streaming audio and video messages, and daily devotionals. No other website offers such a unique and extensive collection of spiritual-growth resources aimed at helping you grow in your knowledge of the Word.

Read More...

 

 

Support Us

Why support cfaith?


(All contributions are 100% tax deductible)


SUPPORT CFAITH WITH ONE CLICK!

For every Internet search you make using
goodsearch, cfaith will receive one penny!

GS Logo 250x38

Contact Us

Business Hours:


Monday—Friday: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. CST
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Phone:

(763) 488-7800 or (800) 748-8107

Mailing Address: 

CFAITH.com
9201 75th Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

 

Login Form

Please ignore the “Secret Key” field; it is not needed to log in to cfaith.

Login Change Article

Spring360x442
You need to enable user registration from User Manager/Options in the backend of Joomla before this module will activate.