Dear Friend, in this season of giving and receiving gifts, will you pause with me for just a moment and consider GOD's "Charisma Gift" to you ? Charisma is the root, or original word, for our word gift. Charisma means free gift. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift (charisma) of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." (Romans 6:23). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift (charisma) of GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). "Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable gift (charisma)." (2nd.Corinthians 9:15). GOD's charisma gift to you is Salvation and Eternal Life through faith in JESUS CHRIST alone.
Let us notice three things about a gift:
1. You cannot earn a gift. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: NOT of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. You need not deserve a gift. When a person gives someone a gift, it is an act of love. "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
3. You must receive a gift. "HE (JESUS CHRIST) came unto HIS own, and HIS own received HIM not. But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name:" (John 1:11-12)
Here is how to receive GOD's charisma gift:
1. First, you must know that you need GOD's gift. You must see and admit that you are a lost sinner in need of forgiveness through the SAVIOR, and of everlasting life. This is true of you. The Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23) Yes, my Friend, you have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD.
2. Next, you must realize GOD's punishment because of your sins ! The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23a) Death in your sin means eternal separation from GOD in a Devil's Hell ! Think about it. If you were to die right now, where would your eternal soul go ?
3. Now, you must give up all hope of saving yourself. You do not have the strength or ability to save yourself ! The Bible says, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time CHRIST died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6)
4. Now you must believe that JESUS CHRIST died for your sins and rose from the grave. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4) You must believe that GOD loves you and gave JESUS CHRIST for your sins ! "But GOD commends HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8)
5. Finally, you must confess that you are a sinner and call on JESUS CHRIST to save you. You must repent (turn to GOD from your sin) of your sins and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-10,13)
The Bible says that "the goodness of GOD leads thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive GOD's charisma gift JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, pray this simple prayer with all your heart or one like it:
LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me, come into my heart and save me. Help me live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.
Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24).
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
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