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5 Ways God\u2019s Christmas Gift Keeps on Giving (John 3:16<\/a>)<\/strong>
\nby Lynette Kittle<\/p>\n

\u201cFor God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.\u201d<\/em>\u2013\u00a0John 3:16<\/a><\/p>\n

Growing up the first Scripture verse I remember memorizing is\u00a0John 3:16<\/a>. I loved hearing it and repeating it to myself and all who would listen to me recite it.<\/p>\n

It not only tells of the very first Christmas present ever given, the gift of Jesus, but also assures me of God\u2019s love, where Jesus came from, and God\u2019s purpose in sending Him.<\/p>\n

Considering God\u2019s priceless present to the world, the holiday season is an opportune time to share with family, friends, and those around us, 5 ways God\u2019s Christmas gift keeps on giving:<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"<\/picture>\n

1. The Gift of Love<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Love does not exist outside of God. He is the only source of love because God\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0love (1 John 4:16<\/a>).\u00a01 John 4:19<\/a>\u00a0states how God first loved each one of us. Before any of us were able to choose to love Him, He loved us.<\/p>\n

John 3:16<\/a>\u00a0assures us that in the history of the world, not one person ever, has been unloved by God.<\/p>\n

2. The Gift of Purity<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Titus 3:4-5<\/a>\u00a0describes how, \u201cthe kindness and love of God our Savior appeared\u201d for the washing away of sin. As\u00a01 John 4:10<\/a>\u00a0states, \u201cHe loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.\u201d<\/p>\n

No matter what sin has been committed, God is willing to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Through God\u2019s Christmas gift, sin is washed away.<\/p>\n

3. The Gift of Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Matthew 1:21<\/a>\u00a0tells the story of an angel coming to Joseph stating, \u201cShe [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Salvation is good and pleases God \u201cwho wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth\u201d (1 Timothy 2:3<\/a>,4). As\u00a0Romans 10:13<\/a>\u00a0asserts, \u201ceveryone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. The Gift of Living in Love<\/strong><\/h2>\n

God\u2019s gift enables us to love one another.\u00a01 Thessalonians 4:9<\/a>\u00a0states through God\u2019s example of loving us, we are taught how to love each other. God urges us in His word to,\u201cBe devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves\u201d (Romans 12:10<\/a>).<\/p>\n

We can know and rely on the love God has for us, and when we live in love, we are living in God and God in us (1 John 4:16<\/a>).<\/p>\n

5. The Gift of Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n

God\u2019s gift brings new life, causing old things to pass away (2 Corinthians 5:17<\/a>).\u00a0Colossians 1:27<\/a>\u00a0tells us of \u201cthe glorious riches of this mystery,\u201d which is Christ living within us.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s gift of life comes with eternal benefits as promised in\u00a01 John 2:25<\/a>, \u201cAnd this is what He promised us\u2014eternal life.\u201d<\/p>\n

His glorious Christmas gift to the world has eternal benefits to all who receive Jesus as written in\u00a01 John 5:11<\/a>, \u201cGod has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Lynette Kittle<\/strong>\u00a0is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about\u00a0faith<\/a>,\u00a0marriage<\/a>, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today\u2019s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for\u00a0Soul Check TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Want more Your Daily Bible Verse? We also have\u00a0<\/strong>a podcast<\/strong><\/a>! This podcast features different verses than the written devotional you just read, but carries the same commitment to a closer look at Scripture each day. You can find out more by clicking the link below!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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