When we receive a gift for Christmas we wouldn't even think about not opening it.. Most of us eagerly tear the paper and bows off with abandonment. Yet, we've been given some gifts from God that we really don't even realize are a gift. They lay unwrapped for years. Other gifts we take for granted and don't really appreciate them.
The baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger is the greatest gift of love we could ever receive. Yet, we must believe that Jesus is the Savior and receive Him into our lives. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” The shepherds had to go to Bethlehem and hunt for the child. We are reminded of Him every Christmas and this gift of salvation from our sins is readily available to all of us.
The Gift of Righteousness is another gift we take for granted or leave unwrapped. Romans 3:22 says, “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” We are declared in “right standing” with God when we decide to accept Christ as our Savior. The penalty for our sin was death, but Jesus took our place and died for us that we might be made righteous and in relationship with God. Our own good works are nothing but filthy rags in comparison to the righteousness Christ gives us.
Maybe you are like me and when you receive the digital camera. You look at the Quick Reference page and never read the instruction book. I can take pictures but I really don’t know how to use my camera to the fullest extent. We do the same thing with this gift of righteousness. We think we know what it means but all the benefits are left unwrapped and unused.
Romans 5:17 “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”
Most of us aren’t experiencing the reigning. Instead, we’re struggling and experiencing defeat. We are more than conquerors because of this righteousness. We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings and have privileges and authority because of being in right standing. We can approach the throne of grace with confidence because we are the righteousness of God in Christ.
Quit trying and just unwrap His gift of righteousness and experience its glorious rewards in your life this Christmas and all year long
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