Wrapping and Unwrapping

Last year I gave myself a title -

The Queen of Peekless Packages.

Usually proud to be humble,

I don't like to brag about myself.

But, I know how to wrap presents.

I begin saving empty boxes in the fall,

so I am ready for wrapping festivities.

But, the purpose of the present isn't just to wrap it up.

We intend the receiver to

 unwrap the gift, love it, appreciate it  and use it.

We hate giving a gift that is a flop,

it didn't fit or the receiver didn't enjoy it.

We would be infinitely more disappointed if our gifts

remained unopened under the tree.

That would be ridiculous.

Do you think the Lord Jesus ever feels that way about the gifts He gives us?

Our first gift is salvation.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith,

and that not of yourselves;

 it is the gift of God,

There are other gifts the Lord gives and wants us to

unwrap them,

love them,

use them,

and

share them.

Ephesians 3:7

I became a servant of this gospel

by the gift of God’s grace given me

through the working of his power.

Romans 5:17

...those who receive abundance of grace

and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life

through the One, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:18

 ...through one Man’s righteous act the

free gift came to all men,

resulting in justification of life.

1 Corinthians 14:12

 since you are zealous for

spiritual gifts,

 let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

C'mon, open those gifts.

1 Timothy 4:14

Do not neglect the gift that is in you,

Use them.

2 Timothy 1:6
I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you...

Share them.

1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a gift,

minister it to one another,

as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Don't leave them under the tree.1 Peter 2:24

...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree.