Naughty or Nice, Jesus Offers us the Greatest Gift
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Today is Thanksgiving. And I got to thinking today about what I am most thankful for – and it is not for what many would think.
I was a terrible person as I moved through my late teens and into my early twenties. ‘Terrible’ does not really describe it. ‘Evil’ is a better word. And some people reading this might think I am being too hard on myself. But if you knew what I’ve done, you’d change your mind. I was absolutely deserving of the full wrath of the Holy God because my lifestyle hurt so many – SO MANY – others.
I didn’t realize it at the time (of course) but I had no hope after my death of anything except an eternity – a ‘forever and ever’ – of agony and utter separation from my Creator.
Oh! But how that changed on December 25, 1972. It was on that day, when I got to my knees and confessed my sins to God – in that moment, God REDIRECTED His full wrath against me for my sins – He redirected all of it onto Jesus.
It was God's Son who suffered the full and undiluted anger of the Father toward me for those sins. And, at the same time, the Father credited to me the full righteousness of His Son. It was an exchange accomplished only – ONLY – because of God's wonderful, marvelous, and matchless grace toward me.
St Paul said it well: [The Father] made [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
In his letter to the church at Rome, the apostle also wrote: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:8-10)
Thankful? Oh, my! Beyond my ability to describe it in human language. Yes, yes, yes. I am so very thankful to God for saving me from what would surely have been my eternal future. I am so very thankful to God for loving me so much that He gave me His only begotten Son – so that, in believing and obeying Jesus – I will have eternal life.
So, what about you? Are you thankful to God for what Jesus did for you? Then don’t neglect to tell Him.
And don’t neglect to show Him by your lifestyle.
Richard Maffeo was born into a Jewish home in the early 1950s. In 1972 he discovered Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, and he dove into his awakened faith with a passion that continues to this present day. He has written three books, writes a blog, and teaches several bible studies each week at 55+ communities. You can find his blog at www.inhimonly.blogspot.com. You can find him on Facebook by searching for his name.
Richard and his wife Nancy are married more than 50 years. They have three grown children.
