The Greatest Gift of All

During this Christmas season we center our focus on giving gifts to family and friends in celebration of the greatest gift ever given. It is a time to reflect upon the gift that God has given to all the world.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is His gift to a lost and dying world. Jesus is the light of the world. He is the way to the Father. He is the truth and the life. He has given us His Son and eternal life is in His Son. (See 1 John 5)

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NIV

Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. NKJV

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. NKJV

The gift of God’s Son is not just to provide a way to heaven when we die but is intended to give us life now. Jesus said in John 10:10 b. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJV

This life is found in Christ. 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. NKJV

We are a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV

This wonderful gift from God includes becoming a new creation. We are all descendants of the first man Adam and destined to die but His gift gives us access our new destiny in Christ, which is life for evermore.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. NKJV

We enter God’s eternal family and are given a new identity.

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. NKJV

We have a new father and receive position in His family. Our old identity is passed away and the new has come. We count our old man of sin as dead with Christ on His cross and now identify ourselves with the risen Christ who is seated in heavenly places. Paul says “I am crucified with Christ never the less I live, but it is not I but Christ that lives in me.” Paul found new life in his identity with Christ. He no longer wanted to identify with his former life with all its accomplishments, but counted life’s gains but loss that he might attain Christ. Paul also said he no longer wanted to be mindful of any man according the flesh. That is, he did not determine any one’s value or usefulness to God based on their ancestral line, their education or their position in life. In fact, those with no resume at all might even have an advantage because they have less to count as loss.

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV

Many could not acknowledge Christ as the Son of God because they knew Him according to the flesh. That is, they knew Joseph as His father, they knew that His sisters and brothers were all born and raised in their neighborhood. Paul says that even though some had known Christ according to the flesh they know Him in that way no longer. His flesh and blood body did not reveal who He really was. Peter’s revelation of Jesus as the Christ came from the Father in heaven. Peter was no longer confused over who Jesus’ Father really was.

Looking at flesh and blood can obscure the identity of Christ. Even though Christ is no longer walking the earth in His earthly body He is walking about in all who have received Him. Just as many were uncertain of His identity in that day, so today many can allow the flesh and blood He walks in to obscure His identity. Even believers can struggle with their identity. Now our identity is found in Him. We are no longer identified with our past. Our earthly heritage does not determine our value or position in Christ.

Many could not receive the gift of God because of the package it came in. Though the gift was heavenly and eternal, the wrapping, so to speak, was temporary and made from this earth. Let us not make the same mistake many have made and reject the gift because of the wrapping. Jesus’ followers have been commissioned to announce the good news. Unto us a child is born and unto us a Son is given. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. And whosoever believes that He is the Christ and trusts in Him shall be saved.

Lord, I pray that the gift of your Son will be revealed to all the world through your people in this season. Not because of good marketing and packaging but because the glory of the Lord shines through us. I pray that your people will no longer be confused about their own identity, that they would no longer see themselves in their former state, but be revealed as the sons and daughters of the living God. Amen

Where's the Fruit ?

In scripture we see that God, like a farmer investing much time and effort into orchards and vineyards, expects to receive a return on His investment. Jesus used principles from the law of sowing and reaping to teach about the Kingdom of God. He has sown His word into the earth and it will bring forth fruit in due season.

The parable of the sower shows that fruitfulness is dependant upon the condition of people’s hearts.

The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:4-8 And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: 5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" NKJV

When Jesus was alone with His disciples He explained the meaning of the parable.

Luke 8:9-10 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?"
10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.' NKJV

Parable Explained

Luke 8:11-15 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. NKJV

Does it seem odd to you that God would shroud the meaning of parables in mystery? Why would God seemingly make it more difficult to understand His teaching? After much thought on this, I concluded that His word contains priceless treasures more precious than silver or gold and treasure is not found laying around on the surface, but requires effort to uncover it. It is God’s way of preserving the value for those who will seek to find it.

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. NKJV

Matt 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. NKJV

God conceals priceless things to reward those who will search diligently for them. How badly do we want to discover God’s hidden treasures? Some of those who heard Jesus teaching in parables called Him a senseless babbler. They saw no value to be gained by listening to Him or in giving heed to what He said.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. NKJV


God’s Kingdom is for seekers and treasure hunters. This merchant was not only searching for treasure but was willing to sell all else to own it when he found it. How many of us discover treasure but are not willing to do what it takes to buy it? Entering the Kingdom of God requires a total commitment. The rich young ruler wanted to enter but was unable to make the required sacrifice. Jesus told him that he must sell all that he possessed and give to the poor so he would have treasure in heaven. His understanding of what is truly valuable was not in line with God’s eternal view.

Ears to Hear

Speaking to the multitudes, Jesus ended the parable with: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Having ears to hear does not mean we have immediate understanding, but something about what is said strikes a cord within that causes us to dig for more. Even understanding, in itself, is great treasure. God invites us to seek for wisdom and understanding. (See Proverbs 16:16)

The first stage of fruitfulness is having good soil. The seed of the word must become rooted deep enough to prevent the devil from taking it away. Good heart conditions do not write off Jesus’ teaching as mere babble. They do not easily become offended or turn away because of trials or temptations. They do not allow the cares of this life and temporary riches to choke out new growth, but the seed takes root and produces much fruit.

Let us go now to Galatians and apply the principles from the parables.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. NKJV

The seed of God’s word reproduces God-likeness in us. God is love and love is of God. The joy of the Lord is our spiritual strength. God gives us peace that surpasses our understanding. God is like a farmer patiently waiting for the precious fruit if the earth. God is kind beyond our comprehension. He, by His very nature, is good. His faithfulness is steadfast and He is unwavering. His gentleness or meekness is not weakness but is having the power to crush those who oppose Him but patiently calling men to repentance. That leads us to the last on the list, self control. God does not react to anything but acts purposefully in what He does. In human terms we could think of self control as avoiding bad habits but God has none. He does not let anything or anyone control Him. In reality God does not want to control us like robots either: He wants us to become so one with Him that we think and act alike. Self control for us is having the mind of Christ and desiring to do what He is doing.

Jesus is the Vine

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. NIV

So, becoming fruitful requires entering into Christ, receiving the word of God into our hearts and keeping it. We can ask whatever we desire when we are of one heart and mind with Him. I see a parallel between the two illustrations used in the foregoing scriptures. Those with a hearing ear are more likely to press in, to stay close to Jesus, to seek for hidden treasure and will do whatever it takes to own it. They also will remain in Christ and keep, or hold on to, His word. They are the branch that remains connected to the vine that bears much fruit.

Apart from Him we can do nothing. Although we can bear no fruit on our own, it does require initiative on our part to do the hearing, the pressing in, the seeking and the abiding in Him. Most of us need a lot of help to develop better soil conditions in our hearts but if we recognize our need, and yield to God, He will help us remove the rocks and thorns and break up the compacted areas of our heart. God is a patient farmer who is at work in us so that we will bear much fruit.

Why do we want to be fruitful: to be better people? John 15:8 says that our fruitfulness brings glory to God and we are revealed as Christ’s disciples. It is not the grapes on the vine, or the apples on the branch, that receive the praise and glory, but the farmer who cares for them. We may attract some attention but everyone will know it could not have been of our own doing. The fruit we are talking about is not natural, but supernatural.
We will only produce it through a supernatural union with Christ, the vine.

Matt 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. NKJV

It is easy to do good for those who are good to us and it is easy to love those who are lovable, but it is the fruit that reveals us as the children of God, to love our enemies. When we do good to those who do evil to us, we are acting like the one who died for us.

Colossians 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—NIV

The fruit of the Spirit in our lives is a re-presentation of Christ to the world. I believe this is what is meant by Romans 12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. NKJV

The world wants to view something that matches what they have heard concerning Christ. If we preach John 3:16, how God so loves the world, who are by the way alienated enemies in their own minds, how will they see a demonstration of His love for them if we are not bearing the supernatural fruit of love toward them? Because of Christ’s death, He has made it possible for the most wicked person to come before God without being accused. Those who caught the adulterous woman in the very act were accusing her and ready to stone her, but Jesus turned the tide of accusation away so that she could go and sin no more. I think it is hard for the world to see that same Jesus today. We too often focus on the evil that they are doing and try to protect ourselves from them, rather than being a living demonstration of Christ’s sacrifice for them.

Jesus paid the price in full and there is nothing we can add to it, but we are to be a demonstration of His undeserved favor and love. Jesus offered life to us when we deserved death. He offered forgiveness when we deserved condemnation. He continues to bless both the good and evil with the natural blessings of the earth just because He is good. He wants us to be like Him, yet He knows we could never be, without receiving the engrafted word that will produce much fruit.

So let us have ears to hear and eyes that see the value of searching for concealed truth. Let us be able to make the necessary sacrifice to lay claim to the treasure when we find it. If we remain intimately connected to Jesus the vine, and His word remains in us, then we will produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, patience, faith, meekness and self control. As an added bonus, we will be able to dispel the accusations of the law.