This year, instead of sending out Christmas letters recapping your family's achievements, acquisitions and worldly pleasures for the past year, how about sharing news of eternal value?
That's what my Adult Bible Fellowship classmate Karen Glass does. Each year, she composes and encloses lovely gospel messages with her Christmas cards, sending them to all of her neighbors, co-workers, doctors, relatives and friends.
Why does she do it?
"'Tis the Season to publish the 'Glad Tidings' of God’s salvation plan to all mankind," she explains, pointing out that 2 Timothy 4:2 tells us to "preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season."
"It is my Christmas present to Jesus for His 'unspeakable gift' to me."
Karen was kind enough to give me permission to share this year's letter with readers of Eternal Eyes. And she invites you to use any or all of it in your own Christmas messages. Here 'tis:
It’s that time again! It’s here so soon! It’s Christmas and a New Year!
How can 2014 be ending already? God says in His Word, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14) Also, “The days of our years are 70; and if by reason of strength they be 80, for our lives are soon cut off and we fly away.” Since this is true, wouldn’t it be wonderful to be given eternal life as a Christmas gift? It is possible.
How do you get the gift of eternal life?
The Bible says eternal life is found in a person. If you have this person, you have eternal life. (I. John 5:11,12) “This is the record, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
Who is this Son of God and how do you ”get” Him?
The Son of God is Jesus, the Savior of the world!!! Jesus is God, Himself, Who left Heaven in order to offer Himself as substitute payment for your sins. Unlike us, Jesus was born without a sinful nature and He kept His Father’s law of righteousness perfectly. He never sinned: He never lied, He never stole anything, He never envied anyone, He never used His Father’s name in a vain way etc. He was even able to keep the 1st. commandment; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) He was crucified to satisfy the Father’s sense of justice; sin has to be paid for. “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans. 6:23)
Why do I need a Savior from sin, I’m a very nice person?
God’s standard of righteousness is perfection. Only one sin keeps you from eternal life. “For whoever keeps the whole law, yet offends in one point, is guilty of all.” (James 2:10) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.” (Titus 3:5) Your good works and being nice won’t pay for your sins, only the blood of Jesus shed on the cross is acceptable payment in God’s eyes. “Without shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22) “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (I. John 1:7) This means of salvation was foretold 100’s of years before it happened. Read Isaiah 53 to understand what Jesus did and why. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
So, if you want eternal life ask God for mercy, putting your faith in His Son’s sacrifice for your sins. Don’t wait…time is running out.
May you receive God’s gift of His Son and eternal life this Christmas!
“Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!”
(II. Corinthinians 9:15)
That's what my Adult Bible Fellowship classmate Karen Glass does. Each year, she composes and encloses lovely gospel messages with her Christmas cards, sending them to all of her neighbors, co-workers, doctors, relatives and friends.
Why does she do it?
"'Tis the Season to publish the 'Glad Tidings' of God’s salvation plan to all mankind," she explains, pointing out that 2 Timothy 4:2 tells us to "preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season."
"It is my Christmas present to Jesus for His 'unspeakable gift' to me."
Karen was kind enough to give me permission to share this year's letter with readers of Eternal Eyes. And she invites you to use any or all of it in your own Christmas messages. Here 'tis:
It’s that time again! It’s here so soon! It’s Christmas and a New Year!
How can 2014 be ending already? God says in His Word, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14) Also, “The days of our years are 70; and if by reason of strength they be 80, for our lives are soon cut off and we fly away.” Since this is true, wouldn’t it be wonderful to be given eternal life as a Christmas gift? It is possible.
How do you get the gift of eternal life?
The Bible says eternal life is found in a person. If you have this person, you have eternal life. (I. John 5:11,12) “This is the record, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
Who is this Son of God and how do you ”get” Him?
The Son of God is Jesus, the Savior of the world!!! Jesus is God, Himself, Who left Heaven in order to offer Himself as substitute payment for your sins. Unlike us, Jesus was born without a sinful nature and He kept His Father’s law of righteousness perfectly. He never sinned: He never lied, He never stole anything, He never envied anyone, He never used His Father’s name in a vain way etc. He was even able to keep the 1st. commandment; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) He was crucified to satisfy the Father’s sense of justice; sin has to be paid for. “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans. 6:23)
Why do I need a Savior from sin, I’m a very nice person?
God’s standard of righteousness is perfection. Only one sin keeps you from eternal life. “For whoever keeps the whole law, yet offends in one point, is guilty of all.” (James 2:10) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.” (Titus 3:5) Your good works and being nice won’t pay for your sins, only the blood of Jesus shed on the cross is acceptable payment in God’s eyes. “Without shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22) “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (I. John 1:7) This means of salvation was foretold 100’s of years before it happened. Read Isaiah 53 to understand what Jesus did and why. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
So, if you want eternal life ask God for mercy, putting your faith in His Son’s sacrifice for your sins. Don’t wait…time is running out.
May you receive God’s gift of His Son and eternal life this Christmas!
“Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!”
(II. Corinthinians 9:15)
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