Salvation is a Wonderful Gift

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:13-14)

Christmas is the celebration of the gift of our Savior, Jesus.

When Joseph realizes Mary, his betrothed, is pregnant, he is shocked and wants to figure out the next steps he should take as a God-honoring man. In his sleep, Joseph is given direction from God. “20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:20–21

As the passage in Hebrews describes, the precious child, Jesus, came to be a sin-bearing sacrifice, superior to the sacrifices of the Old Covenant. Jesus came to be the greatest sacrifice ever offered. Through His spotless righteousness, He is an acceptable and pleasing sacrifice to God. His saving grace cleanses us of our sins and presents us to the Father, who declares us eternally righteous because we trust in the saving work Jesus has done for us.  The purification Jesus provides for us is so complete that we are free from the distractions of guilt so that we can consistently focus on producing God-empowered works that glorify His name.

Salvation is a glorious gift.

Merry Christmas!