As children, Christmas carries an unparalleled impressive mystique. Perhaps a beautiful tree glimmers in the corner of the room (don't bow to it), then there's stockings dangling lending hope of a promise, and the air sort of vibrates with anticipation. Beneath the tree lies the focal point of many a child’s heart—a brightly wrapped box with a ribbon, bearing the potential to fulfill long-held inner wishes.
Boys, remember that ole coveted G.I. Joe action figure in 1964? Girls, remember the blockbuster Frozen dolls of 2014?
Man, each generation has its own sort of "holy grail" of Christmas gifts. They have value to so many. I remember longing for my own “must-have” thing -- it was a red Schwinn stingray with a white banana seat (I got it and it was converted from a former Christmas bike I had earlier received). Can you imagine how thrilled I felt with that gift? Did lots of jumps on it, and wiped out a lot. It brought joy, adventure, and fulfillment to my young heart. Remember these toys?
2004: Robosapien
1994: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
1984: Transformers
1974: Skateboard
1954: Scrabble
1944: Soap bubbles and bubble blowers
1934: Buck Rogers Disintegrator Pistol
1924: Erector Set
But have you noticed how quickly the excitement from temporal items fades away? Toys break (so many plastic ones, when before they were metal like my Tonka dump truck). Trends pass, the marketing strategy passes, and the next season beckons with new desires. These fleeting treasures, no matter how cherished, never truly satisfy. They remind us of a deeper longing—one that no earthly gift can fulfill.
In a broken twisted world, this right relationship is the most indescribable Gift! The joy won't fade away!
He with His generous salvation --is the most wonderful blessing that won't ever end.
"Now thanks be to God for His Gift, precious beyond telling His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15 ampc
So kind and thoughtful. God won't ever abuse any, or exploit, or walk out on ya. Has that happened before?
Knowing the Jesus Of The First Christmas, That's A Gift Unlike Any Other!
In the busyness of Christmas shopping with the wish lists, it’s so easy to get distracted or forget the most profound truth: Christmas celebrates the greatest Gift of all time. Not some gift wrapped with red ribbons, but the One wrapped in swaddling cloth that was laid in a manger. It really happened! We people are sinners -- this was undeserved. This gift wasn’t at all earned through good or religious behavior or achieved through persistence. This Gift was given freely from by a loving Father (God) to those in this hurting, desperate and broken world.
Righteousness can't be earned. God's favor and blessings can't be earned. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8 declares, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
The word gift here is deliberate and rich in meaning. A gift, by its very nature, is something that sinful people cannot ever deserve. You cannot work to gain it. None can barter for this gift, or repay it. It is given as an act of pure love. Yes, pure and simple.
And what is this gift? It’s salvation through Jesus Christ—a Savior who bore the weight of our sins on Calvary's cross and then conquered death through His physical resurrection from that dank borrowed tomb. This Gift of grace offers forgiveness, real freedom, and the promise of abundant eternal life. It’s a gift that never breaks, becomes obsolete, fades away, or becomes outdated.
A Gift That Shapes Eternity
When you receive the gift of salvation, everything changes. Your heart, once burdened by sin and guilt, is made new. Your identity shifts—you become a child of God, beloved and secure. You are no longer defined by your failures but by His righteousness.
This gift also shapes how we live. Jesus not only saved us but showed us how to live in the light of His love. Through His life, He demonstrated humility, compassion, and obedience to the Father. And through His Spirit, He empowers us to reflect His character in a world desperate for hope.
The Invitation
So, as you consider the gifts under the tree this year, ask yourself: have I received the one gift that truly matters? Salvation is not about religion or ritual. It’s about a relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about accepting His sacrifice on the cross and trusting Him as Lord of your life.
If you’ve never received this gift, the invitation is open. Romans 10:9 promises, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
And if you’ve already received this gift, let this Christmas season be a time of gratitude and renewed devotion. Share this gift with others, so they too can experience the joy and peace that only Christ can provide.
The Greatest Gift
That toy you longed for as a child may have brought happiness for a short season, but the greatest gift if all—salvation through Jesus—offers you joy for all eternity. Jesus was my Christmas gift in '77!
His biblical salvation is the gift that satisfies the deepest longings of a humble believing soul and transforms our lives from the inside out.
This Christmas, let’s celebrate the gift of Christ with hearts full of gratitude and lives full of His light. For in Him, we find the fulfillment of every hope and the answer to every need.
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)
Add Bible verses free gift
Salvation is a free gift by God’s grace (which is undeserved favour).
Believer, God the Father loves you just as much as He loves His own sinless Son. We are to hate and avoid sin, but God loves you as much when you behave as when you misbehave. Hey, learning can happen at any age, and needs to.
You just can't earn salvation no matter how hard to innovate, plan or try to. None can, it just doesn't work like that. God is just, but He's also a giver.
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" from Ephesians 2:8, The Bible more than highlights that God salvation is a free gift from God, not something we can earn through our own actions.
"Grace": greek word defined. Represents God's undeserved favor and love.
"Saved through faith": Means that accepting Jesus Christ as your savior is the way to receive salvation.
"Not from yourselves": Emphasizes that salvation is not something we can achieve on our own.
In this redemption, salvific area, God is the initiating generous contributor and we add nothing to that. I now daily want to give myself over to Him by faith. We each can give Jesus full control of our person -- like a living sacrifice.
You and I Contribute Zip. Yep, Nothing to our Salvation—and That’s Good News! God Does That.
We're flawed, but He is not. You and I can decide to respond to God or not (which also is a decision). We can choose to turn and repent, to believe, and to obey the Lord. But do we contribute anything—anything at all—to our own salvation? Nope. The answer, stark and simple, is this: Nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada.
This truth can be viewed from two perspectives: the practical and the biblical. Let’s start practically.
Imagine for a moment that you could contribute something to your salvation. Picture arriving in heaven. Would the redeemed sing, "Worthy is the Lamb," or would they boast in their own efforts? Would the anthem of eternity proclaim the glory of God, or would it subtly shift to glorify self? If we could earn even a sliver of our salvation, heaven itself would ring with self-congratulation. Yet Scripture is emphatic: “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other” (Isaiah 42:8). Heaven is not a place for human boasting but for divine worship.
Now let’s turn to the Bible. The Word of God paints a stark picture of humanity’s predicament. We are not merely sick in sin; we are dead in it (Ephesians 2:1). Dead men do not seek God. Dead men cannot help themselves. Romans 3:10-12 declares, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless.”
Reread: Romans 3:10–23, 4:18–25, Genesis 15:1–6, Ephesians 2:1–10
How do we describe the serious depravity of humanity with some
drastic, absolute statements? Like this:
• There is no one who is righteous, no not one.
• No one understands.
• No one seeks for God; all have turned aside.
• No one does good, not even one.
• There is no fear of God before their eyes.
That's what the doctrine of depravity is about—not that every person is as evil as they could be, but that sin has tainted every part of us. Left to ourselves we have no hope -- we would would turn to God for inner regeneration. The Holy Spirit must woo us to Jesus.
So many in our would rather cling to their sins (and some are fun for a season), vehemently defend them, as well as revel in them. Don't be idiotic!
Here’s the good news: where we are utterly incapable, God is infinitely able to save us. In love, God reached down into our mess, sending His Son to be the bridge between sinful humanity and a holy God. Jesus Christ, the sinless Savior, bore our sins on the cross. He stood in our place as our substitute (1 Timothy 2:5-6). By His death and resurrection, He purchased our redemption, freeing us from the slavery of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). Through His work, we are justified—declared righteous before God by faith alone (Romans 5:1).
And even that faith? A gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is not a transaction where we bring something to the table. It is a free gift—entirely of grace—offered by a God who loves us despite our unworthiness. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
So, what must we do? Simply receive. The Bible puts it plainly: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Receiving is not earning. Believing is not working. Salvation is a gift extended by nail-scarred hands, ready to be taken by empty, undeserving ones.
And when we grasp this truth—really grasp it—we are left with one response: worship. Not the worship of self, but of the Savior. Not the glory of human effort, but the glory of God’s grace. In the words of the redeemed: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10).
So take heart, weary soul. You contribute nothing to your salvation. And that’s the best news you’ll ever hear. Because when salvation is entirely of God, it is secure, sufficient, and irrevocably glorious.
What if I try really hard to be good? You Want The Truth About Salvation!
We'll all come to God at His Judgement Seat, but not all will enter His holy heaven. The only way to the Father’s holy heaven is through the Person of Jesus Christ who paid it all for you and me.
No amount of good deeds, moral living, or self-discipline can secure your place there. Yet, if you ask most people what it takes to get to heaven, the answer is almost always the same: “Be a good person.” This idea is central to nearly every world religion and philosophy. Whether it’s following the Ten Commandments, observing the precepts of the Quran, or living by the Golden Rule, the message seems clear: do enough good, and you’ll earn your way into God's heaven.
But is that what God in the Bible teaches us? Nope!
In Matthew 19:16–26, the rich young ruler asks Jesus the ultimate question: “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” At first glance, his question seems noble, even insightful. He recognizes that eternal life is valuable and worth pursuing. But lurking beneath his words is a faulty assumption—that salvation is something to be earned.
Jesus, knowing the man’s heart, responds with a question of His own: “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good.” With this reply, Jesus challenges the ruler’s worldview. The young man assumes that goodness is something within human reach. But Jesus redirects him to the truth: only God is good. True goodness is not human effort; it is divine perfection.
To expose the man’s misplaced confidence, Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. When the ruler asks, “Which ones?” Jesus lists several commandments focused on relationships—honoring parents, refraining from murder and theft, and loving one’s neighbor. The man, with self-assurance, declares that he has kept them all. Yet, he still senses something is missing. “What do I still lack?” he asks.
Here, Jesus pierces through the man’s self-righteousness: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” At this, the young man walks away sorrowful, for his wealth holds his heart captive.
Though the ruler claims to have kept the commandments, Jesus reveals otherwise. His attachment to his wealth breaks the very first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). His possessions are his idol. Despite his outward morality, he fails to meet God’s standard of perfect righteousness.
Jesus turns to His disciples and declares, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Shocked, the disciples ask, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus’ answer is profound: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The truth is, no one is good enough to earn heaven—not the rich young ruler, not you, not me. Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our sin earns us death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). If salvation depended on our efforts, heaven would remain forever out of reach.
But here is the good news: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God, in His infinite mercy, did what we could never do. Jesus, the only truly good person, lived the perfect life we could not and bore the punishment we deserved. On the cross, He paid the price for our sins, and in His resurrection, He secured eternal life for all who believe.
Salvation is not about what we do; it is about what Christ has done. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Like the rich young ruler, we must acknowledge that our goodness is insufficient. We must repent of our sins, lay down our idols, and trust wholly in Jesus.
The gospel is not a message of self-improvement or moral achievement. It is a declaration of grace—a call to abandon self-reliance and cling to the Savior. Only in Him do we find the righteousness that leads to eternal life (Romans 1:17).
So, what must you do to be saved? Admit it and quit it, the sin. Humbly trust God by faith. Stop striving to be “good enough.” Turn to Jesus. Trust in Him alone. And rest in the assurance that His goodness, not yours, is the key to heaven.
No good work can make you saved or more saved. Good works are the way we as saints respond to the grace of God that has already been freely shed on us abundantly.
Need 5 Reasons Why You Can’t Earn Your Salvation?
The gospel is not about climbing a ladder way up to God; it’s about God descending to us. Salvation is entirely His work, and Scripture makes it clear that we cannot earn it. Here are five biblical reasons why:
1. You Were Dead in Sin
Not sort of, or kind of dead. Dead people can’t save themselves. Before salvation, we were spiritually lifeless, enslaved to sin, and incapable of reaching God. Even our “good deeds” were as filthy rags before Him (Isaiah 64:6). It’s not about being a better version of yourself; it’s about God making you alive through Christ.
A person prior to being saved (as the Bible calls it) is described as “dead”. This is spiritual death. A physically dead human cannot do anything to revive himself, and a spiritually dead man cannot do any good work to redeem himself.
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)..
Ephesians 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Could there be times when it looks or sounds like someone is being good or is doing really good things in gaining God's favor and blessing? Perhaps, but the Bible describes even “our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” to God.
May I be a bit blunt? You are not a good person, and I am not. The Bible says there is only one who is good.
"As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. 'Good Teacher,' he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call Me good?' Jesus replied. 'No one is good except God alone.'" Mark 10:17
Nobody living on your street is really a good person. Some are more good than others outwardly. Nobody living in your town is a good person. There is no such thing as a “good” person other than God. Even the best things we do aren’t so good.. not good enough to be acceptable to God. What did Isaiah say about this:
"For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away." Isaiah 64:6 nasb
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Therefore a man can do good works after he’s been made alive (saved), and that's not to earn grace or brownie points from God.
2. Salvation is a Divine Creation
Just as God created the universe from nothing, He creates new life in us when we’re saved. We are His masterpiece, brought into being by His power, not our effort. Salvation isn’t the result of human labor; it’s the artistry of a Creator shaping us into His image.
The Bible says that Adam was created from the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7-9) and that we are “created in Christ Jesus..”
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
In Webster's Dictionary 1828, the word "create" means to produce; to bring into being from nothing; to cause to exist. This is the very first thing the Bible tells us about God, His creation of the world from nothing (Genesis 1:1). Can you speak something into exsistance from nothing as many TV preachers say? Nope, but God can. He has. He is the only One who has the power to create something out of nothing.
We humans can construct from already created matterials. Think about the 3 main words used for create in Hebrew: bara' ('create', Greek equivalent ktizein), 'asah ('make', Greek equivalent poiein) and yatsar ('form', Greek equivalent plasso). The word bara' is used to refer to the action of God in bringing about his creation.
3. Salvation is a New Birth
A baby doesn’t contribute to its own birth, and neither do we in being “born again.” This spiritual rebirth comes free from above. It's entirely initiated and carried out by God. He's the Initiator and we are the responders. Trying to save yourself is like trying to birth yourself—it’s impossible.
What happens when one is saved? Their salvation is described as being “born again” (John 3:3 it's spiritual birth). The Greek word translated “again” in John 3:3 is ἄνωθεν (an’-ō-then). The word means from above. Therefore being born again requires that a person be born from above, which has to happen from outside of you anyways..coming into you.
John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: hich were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
4. Faith is a Gift, Not a Wage
Even the faith we exercise is a gift from God. If salvation were earned, we’d have reason to boast, but Scripture silences all boasting. It’s not about what we bring to the table; it’s about God’s unmerited grace giving us what we could never deserve.
That faith, people can exercise in Christ, is a beautiful gift given to us by God, and it is “not of works”.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
No believer should boast--there's no grounds for that. I mean in any of their words deeds but in Christ. Our salvation is handed to us free of charge!
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
5. Salvation is a Holy Calling
God’s call to salvation predates your existence. It’s rooted in His eternal plan, not your merit. You’re not saved because of what you’ve done but because of what Christ has done. You are called to be a saint because God has already made you one in Him.
Some try to call themselves, but in reality you did not call yourself. You’re called by God unto something bigger that you!
Ephesians 1:4-6 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
That salvation-calling you've received has a world-changing purpose!
Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
We are “called to be saints”. We are saints because we’ve been made as such. We do not become saints because of what we do. We do what we do because we’re saints.
Remember Paul's words to Tim (in 2 Timothy 1:9-10)? Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
We called, “not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began..” Whatever we have or become in Christ is by the grace of God.
The Bottom Line
Salvation isn’t something you achieve; it’s something you receive. It’s God’s gift, freely given and eternally secure. If you’re in Christ, rest in the truth that your salvation is complete—not because of your own works.
We called, “not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began..”
Whatever we gain, whatever we have or even become in Christ..it is by His grace. We should therefore live our Christian lives with gratitude and express praise and thankfulness for the Lord and His grace
Have you come to Him on His terms yet? Come to Christ now. Do not wait. The only way to the Father’s holy Heaven is through the Person of Jesus Christ. No amount of good deeds, positive thinking, moral living, striving or self-discipline can secure your place there.
When we ask most people what it takes to get to heaven, they typically say: “Be a good person.” This idea is central to nearly every world religion and philosophy. Whether it’s following the Ten Commandments, observing the precepts of the Quran, or living by the Golden Rule, the message seems clear: do enough good, and you’ll earn your way in.
In Matthew 19:16–26, the rich young ruler asks Jesus the ultimate question: “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” At first glance, his question seems noble, even insightful. He recognizes that eternal life is valuable and worth pursuing. But lurking beneath his words is a faulty assumption—that salvation is something to be earned.
Jesus, knowing the man’s heart, responds with a question of His own: “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good.” With this reply, Jesus challenges the ruler’s worldview. The young man assumes that goodness is something within human reach. But Jesus redirects him to the truth: only God is good. True goodness is not human effort; it is divine perfection.
To expose the man’s misplaced confidence, Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. When the ruler asks, “Which ones?” Jesus lists several commandments focused on relationships—honoring parents, refraining from murder and theft, and loving one’s neighbor. The man, with self-assurance, declares that he has kept them all. Yet, he still senses something is missing. “What do I still lack?” he asks.
Here, Jesus pierces through the man’s self-righteousness: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” At this, the young man walks away sorrowful, for his wealth holds his heart captive.
Though the ruler claims to have kept the commandments, Jesus reveals otherwise. His attachment to his wealth breaks the very first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). His possessions are his idol. Despite his outward morality, he fails to meet God’s standard of perfect righteousness.
Jesus turns to His disciples and declares, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Shocked, the disciples ask, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus’ answer is profound: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The truth is, no one is good enough to earn heaven—not the rich young ruler, not you, not me. Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our sin earns us death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). If salvation depended on our efforts, heaven would remain forever out of reach.
But here is the good news: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God, in His infinite mercy, did what we could never do. Jesus, the only truly good person, lived the perfect life we could not and bore the punishment we deserved. On the cross, He paid the price for our sins, and in His resurrection, He secured eternal life for all who believe.
Salvation is not about what we do; it is about what Christ has done. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Like the rich young ruler, we must acknowledge that our goodness is insufficient. We must repent of our sins, lay down our idols, and trust wholly in Jesus.
The gospel is not a message of self-improvement or moral achievement. It is a declaration of grace—a call to abandon self-reliance and cling to the Savior. Only in Him do we find the righteousness that leads to eternal life (Romans 1:17).
So, what must you do to be saved? Stop striving to be “good enough.” Turn to Jesus. Trust in Him alone. And rest in the assurance that His goodness, not yours, is the key to heaven.
GO FOR GOD THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Christmas time is a season of giving, and Americans spend nearly $1,000 on gifts each year. God has given far more.
No material yuletide treasure compares to the eternal value of having Christ inside. None compares with freely sharing the Gospel. As we reflect on God’s forgiveness, favor and grace. Here are three challenges for you during this Christmas season:
1. THINK: Re-reflect on God's Free Grace and Forgiveness
Take a moment to consider the depth of God’s forgiveness in your life. Think about the sins you’ve been forgiven for—the harm you’ve caused to others, the mistakes you’ve made, and the ways you’ve fallen short. Now consider how you can honor this gift of grace in your daily life.
- Honor God: Live in gratitude for His mercy by reflecting His character.
- Pay Grace Forward: Forgiving others isn’t just a duty—it’s a way to showcase God’s love.
Freely "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13).
2. PRAY: Seek First God, His Will for You and His Heart of Forgiveness
Forgiving others isn’t easy, especially when the pain runs deep. That’s why forgiveness begins with prayer. Ask God to give you His heart for people—a heart that balances grace and truth, forgiveness and boundaries.
- Pray for Wisdom: To know when and how to extend forgiveness while guarding your heart.
- Pray for Power: The strength to forgive comes from the Holy Spirit, not from ourselves.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).
3. ACT: Forgive and Reconcile
Now it’s time to act. True forgiveness is more than words—it’s releasing the hurt and choosing not to hold grudges. Reflect on past wounds. If they still sting, it might be a sign you haven’t fully forgiven.
- Let It Go: Talk to God about your pain and give it to Him.
- Reach Out: If appropriate, communicate forgiveness to the person who hurt you.
- Reconcile: Work toward healing the relationship, if God leads you to.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
The Greatest Gift Are Jesus And His Salvation
This Christmas, let the Gospel guide your giving. Share the ultimate treasure of God’s grace by forgiving others and telling them about the Savior who forgave you. There’s no better way to honor God’s forgiveness than to live it out—and share it with the world.
"Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8). The Father gave His Son, and Jesus gave His life for you. Give all of you to all of Him.
