1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
This is it! We were dead in our sin. Dirty, poor, gross, and many more things but God saved us! He didn't just want to show his love to the children and preach to the lost. He wanted to die for every single one of us. For by grace we have been saved through faith. This is not our works. But by his gift. That's the real gift. His forgiveness and love is our gift this Christmas and every one. Not just on Christmas day but everyday! I don't know about you but I could maybe die for a friend or relative but I couldn't die for someone who hates me and wants to kill me. But God did! He died for the people who hated him! He forgave them! That's why we celebrate Christmas! Because of God's love for us!
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Peace and Love,
Bernie;P