Part V and the gift of gifts

Dear Fellow Travelers,

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve 2006, the eve of the day we have set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Interestingly, each of us has our own way of participating in this celebration but for the most part, we will gather as families, eat lots (too much) of food, and open gifts. It is my guess that some will receive gifts that will prove to be very useful; others will wonder, “What do I do with this?” Hopefully, yours will be something that will prove to be very useful, something that you will treasure for years to come.

In any case, I want to offer you something (a gift from Him) that, at least in my opinion, should be treasured and valued above any other gift you might receive, and it is this: Striving to maintain your relationship with God, so that He will not distance Himself from you by breaking fellowship with you, or by severing you from Himself altogether, need no longer be a concern for you because He chose to allow the New Covenant, unlike the Old Covenant, to be a covenant between Jesus and Himself; albeit, in your behalf, but excluding you from the covenant altogether, as is evidenced by these passages: (1) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14; emphasis mine); (2) And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it (Hebrews 9:15-16; emphasis mine). In other words, the success of the New Covenant depends upon Jesus, not you. Devotions, solitude, prayer, repentance, confession, et al can be very beneficial, provided, however, that you do not do them in an effort to keep your end of the covenant and to, thereby, help to maintain the relationship. Jesus is your guarantee that this marriage will last eternally! Cease striving and rest in Him.

You know, when this truth dawned upon me, it forever changed my life, and I am trusting that it will do the same for you.

Blessings to you as you celebrate His birth!
Mac