The Free Gift

Parents sometimes have a rule for their children: When a new toy comes in an old toy must go out. Christmas is coming up in our home and I thought this may be a good rule to implement this year. Drawers are becoming harder to close and shelves are overflowing with nick-nacks and random treasures. But I’m not sure how my children will respond to this demand. What is a free gift worth to them if it’s to be received at a cost? I’ll simply tell them… “I bought something for you because I love you. Clean away a special place for it. Make room. This will be much more special than what your holding on to. I want you to have it. Take it. It’s for you.” Yet still, I’m sure this will be a hard thing for them to do. A brand new baby doll to take the place of a dirty, never played with, stuffed animal. Or a brand new Lego set as an old unused toy car makes its way out. Saying goodbye to things they know and have loved for a long time will be hard. It’s hard for us all.

Like a Father to a child the Bible says that God also offers us a free gift. The gift has been paid for but is there anywhere for you to put it? This gift God offers can’t be added to the rest of your treasure. This gift is special. It’s so special that you need to clear away not one small spot but every shelf and every drawer. Our shelves aren’t filled with toy cars and baby dolls, no, our valuables aren’t always kept in drawers. The social media you cling to, make room. The money that helps you sleep at night, make room. The family you couldn’t live without, make room. The vanity, the pride, the immorality…. make room. Nothing can be left behind. God has a gift for you. You see, this gift is not like the rest. This gift is His very Son. We are guilty of breaking Gods law because we love His creation more than Him the Creator. We honor our life but not the One who gives us life. But God in His grace and love sent His Son to pay the penalty we deserve. Christ willingly died for sinners and rose again in three days for us. He purchased our forgiveness with His own blood. God offers the free gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Make room for this gift. Christ died that we might live. Make room for Christ. Make room for a new life with your Father. I can imagine God might say what I’ll be saying to my children, “I bought something for you because I love you. Make room. This will be much more special than what your holding on to. I want you to have it. Take it. It’s for you.”


-Vanessa






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

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