Christmas tidings II

..................Greatest bargain ever .................

Buy one, get one free!
Black Friday Sale!
Half off with coupon!

Oy vey.
During this season, the newspaper is almost all advertisements. And coupons. And forget watching television; there are so many commercials for last-minute gifts that they will drive you crazy.

After two thousand years, there is one "deal" that still stands out. It's the greatest bargain ever. You don't have to get up at 4am, and you don't need a coupon.

This deal, of course, is salvation through Christ Jesus. When we take advantage of this bargain, we get freedom from Satan's power, freedom from eternal punishment, and best of all -- a personal relationship with God Himself. It's the only deal I know of that let's you start over and be something even better.
And get this -- it's already paid for! This amazing, astonishing deal is a life-changer paid for by God Himself, who came to earth as a babe to die for our sins, and then live again.

No coupon needed. All you have to do is realize that without God, you have nothing. Realize that you are sinful, and have no hope of freeing yourself from those sins. All you have to do is once you realize what the problem is, sincerely repent (that means turn away from) from your sins, and ask God to forgive you. And ask Him to change your life and your heart, because you know that Jesus already paid for your sins. It's not anything you did yourself!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

If you are a believer, you already know how much joy it's brought into your life. It's amazing to have a personal relationship with a God Who loves us so much that He died to save us!
This Christmas season, let's share this "deal" with others with no embarrassment. Just like we would if we'd found an awesome sale, or a great coupon in the paper. Except that this "deal" can change their lives!

Then they, too, will know the special joy that we share at Christmas!