GRATITUDE FOR GOD’S GREATEST GIFT

November 19, 2023

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15 (BSB)

9:15 Paul summarized his discourse by comparing the believer’s act of giving with what God did in giving Jesus Christ (cf. Rom. 8:32), “His indescribable gift.” God buried His Son and reaped a vast harvest of those who put their faith in the resurrected Christ (cf. John 12:24). That makes it possible for believers to joyfully, sacrificially, and abundantly sow and reap. As they give in this manner, they show forth Christ’s likeness (cf. John 12:25, 26; Eph. 5:1, 2).

MacArthur, John, NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition, note on 2 Corinthians 9:15

Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

John 12:24

We have heard the statement that “You can’t outgive God” many times and are sure you have, too. God gave His best by sending His only begotten Son to die in our place on the cross. Jesus gave His all—in His humanity, He suffered and died a brutal, torturous death to redeem us and was buried in a borrowed tomb but raised to life on the third day. His death and resurrection began a movement that “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6)—Christianity! He had to die in order to redeem those who would believe and cover them with His righteousness, and the result was that His followers multiplied exponentially. After being filled with the Holy Spirit in the upper room, Peter and the disciples preached to the crowds and saw 3,000 people come to faith in Jesus! We, too, have the power to lead people to a saving faith in Jesus, but first we have to die to ourselves in order to live for Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). Thanks be to God! Jesus is the “gift that keeps on giving.” We have the privilege of participating in Christ’s ongoing gift by sharing the good news of God’s grace with people.

Take a moment to give thanks to God for His indescribable gift—Jesus Christ who died in your place. Ask God to empower you to share this good news with others and thank Him for the honor and privilege of participating in Christ’s mission of redemption. Then live each day knowing that you have, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and share the gospel in word and deed.

Father, we thank You for Your indescribable gift—Jesus! We cannot completely express in words the magnitude of Your grace, but we are thankful for it! Help us to die to ourselves and live daily empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Your witnesses, sharing the Gospel at every opportunity!

Worship with Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing “Crucified with Christ”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0_1jazh454