Perfect Gift

“Now the God of Peace, Who brought up from the dead the Great Shepherd of the sheep through the Blood of the eternal covenant [this is the purchase of the new covenant], even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

 

Have you ever discovered a Christmas present after Christmas?  You bought the gift then “safely” put it away – never to think of it again.  Since that gift never made it to its intended recipient, it was rendered ineffective.  The “new covenant” – the agreement between God and man – is one where God set the terms and made the offer; we respond with resistance or cooperation.  Interestingly and extremely important, God doesn’t lay His precious Gift [of Salvation – Jesus] down expecting us to pick It up in our own strength.  Oh, no! He equips us to “do His will” by “working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.”  Jesus Christ – our Salvation – is the intended Gift for an intended purpose to an intended end.  “He picks it up and puts in your heart and in your mind, and seals to you that you are a Child of God.” (John Piper, Good News of Great Joy).  Merry Christmas to us – the perfect Gift from the perfect Giver!