In this season of Advent we consider God’s greatest gift to mankind: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God gave us His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus sacrificed His life for all who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. It is a spiritual principle that we give to live. The line of the old song comes to mind: “Love isn’t love ’till you give it away..” This is the true nature of love, it seeks another’s wealth, not it’s own, in other words it seeks to bless others before itself. It’s nature is selfless, as opposed to selfish. A person who is constantly receiving and never giving out will stagnate.
Consider the following: Israel has two seas – the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Both seas are supplied by the River Jordan. The area around Galilee is vibrant, the sea is full of life containing many varieties of fish. Galilee is not contained, it receives from Jordan and has an outlet. On the other hand, the Dead Sea receives but has no outlet. Nothing can live in the Dead Sea, henceforth it’s name. It’s waters are bitter and cannot support life.
Life is made up of cause and effect. To seek another’s wealth (preferring other’s to be blessed before oneself), is cause, and the effect is life. To seek my own wealth before others is death. Cause and effect operates on the positive and the negative.
Ezekiel 37 records the message of God’s resurrection of the dry bones in the valley. God caused Ezekiel to view and consider them, then instructed him to prophesy over them: “O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God to these bones, “Behold, I shall cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live,” Ezekiel 37:4-5. When God speaks, creation takes place – cause and effect! Without breath, there is no life.
When God speaks, the Believer has to mix His word with faith and God will bring His word to pass, it will “not return to Him void.” The children of Israel in their wilderness wanderings murmured and went into unbelief. Their example is a warning for us, their unbelief prohibited them from entering their Promised Land, cause and effect!
Brothers and sisters, fellow travelers, let us arise and follow on in the footsteps of our beloved Saviour. He has prepared the way, He is the WAY, the path of life. He has given us of His life, that we might share this bountiful treasure with others, to extend His kingdom. We celebrate His gift of life every day, but at this special season of wonder, let us remember God’s greatest gift to mankind, Jesus our Immanuel, and share Him and His wonderful life, with others.