Each December, we buy, give, open, and sometimes return almost countless gifts. As a kid, I remember thinking that every year, at least one item was always broken right out of the box and that at least a few always needed to be returned or exchanged.
During this special time of year, it is important to remember that we are also recipients of wonderful and innumerable gifts from God, which, unlike those we find under the tree, never fail and never need to be returned or exchanged.
God’s greatest gift to each one of us is His grace. Paul wrote that “the surpassing grace of God in you” is “His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:14-15). Even the apostle, Paul, could not describe how extraordinary God’s grace is. God’s grace has been given to each one of us, and as it comes from God, it is perfect, never fails, never needs new batteries, and certainly never needs to be returned or exchanged for something better.
In Ephesians, we read, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (2:8). This perfect gift not only comes from God Himself, but it is what saves us for all of eternity. It is only by God’s grace that we can find salvation from our sins.
We might find a mountain of presents under the tree. We might spend far more than we should on gifts for family and friends. We might even open a gift that we would describe as absolutely perfect. Still, we must not forget that the greatest, indescribable, and truly perfect gifts come from God. They are always exactly what we need and could never be exchanged for anything better.
Matt Langfield