I was having my quiet time this morning and came upon the greatest thing, and I couldn’t keep it to myself! Every day I use a “Name of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit” list and work my way through it, opening up one new name or characteristic each day. {This is like opening a present from God every day! I say “Who are you, Lord?” then open the Word and dive into the depths of the goodness and grace of God. If you want a short list to get you started in unwraping this gift, click here.)
Today’s name was “The Spirit of our God” from 1 Corinthians 6:11. As I read back through verses 9-11, my heart filled with joy, and I realized (for the billionth time) how Jesus really IS the best Gift any of us could ever receive!
Read for yourself (but hang in there through verses 9 and 10… the Good News comes in vs. 11):
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [by perversion], nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [whose words are used as weapons to abuse, insult, humiliate, intimidate, or slander], nor swindlers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.
Jennifer here: Who of any of us can not relate to something in the list above??? As Romans 3:23 tells us, ALL of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But read on… because this verse 11 is THE GOOD NEWS for all of us – and the BEST GIFT ever!
“And such were some of you [before you believed]. But you were washed [by the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior].”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (Amplified Bible Version, and emphasis, mine.)
This is the Good News of Salvation… the Gift God that we celebrate during Christmas and Easter, and every other day of the year.
Anyone who receives this Gift of Jesus is washed clean from the former life of sin. The temptation to walk in sin is ever before us, but Jesus walks with us, strengthening us, and helping us to turn from former ways of living in the dark so we can walk in the Light of His Victory, Redemption, and Salvation! Want to receive this Gift of Jesus today? Read here.
This reminder was a gift to me today… and I pray that it will encourage you to reach out and receive all that God is offering you this Christmas (and every other day of the year)!
Many blessings of the Lord Jesus, our Greatest Gift, upon each of you ~
