The Priceless Gift

When I was ten years old I remember my church at the time holding baptisms outside, and how the air was palpable with excitement.I remember the crowd of people gathered around the pool, and the brave few who stepped forward as the preacher's voice boomed over the crowd. I also remember wanting to be baptized, after all I loved Jesus as any good little girl should, but as I thought of the life ahead of me it seemed impossible to me that I could be good all my life and never commit a sin, so my little heart was filled with sadness that day and countless other days over the years that followed. What I wish someone had explained to me was the free gift of grace that Christ desired to give me. The priceless gift  He paid for in blood when He gave His life on the cross. I wish someone had told me of the freedom from sin that would be mine the day I gave my life to Jesus. Therefore now their is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1. It would have been great if someone had mentioned that it would not be by my behavior or good works that God accepted me, but by Jesus's finished works at the cross. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8.
It is the gospel, the good news to the world that highlights not our inability to live up to God's righteousness, but Jesus's great love for us, and the faithfulness of God who came near, not to condemn the world but to save it. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:17.This is the Christmas story, and this is what we celebrate as we look forward to His return. Even so come, Lord Jesus come.