Giving

The Christian life, at its most basic, is living out what the Spirit of God has already done within (Philippians 2:12-13).

Passages like 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 and Ephesians 4 list the spiritual gifts.  These are all descriptions of this ‘living out.’

The one thing they all have in common is giving.

None of them can exist in us without God first having given them to us, and none of us can live them out on an island.

If we teach, it is to others.  If we serve, it is for others.  If we encourage, it is to others.

As we wade through the massive waves of Christmas-commercialization, it’s easy to get wrapped up in all of that.

But in a way, there is also a great opportunity for Christians here.

As everyone vies to out do their competition in presents and sales, followers of Christ will stand out with their message of freedom.

This is not a sale, it’s salvation.

I believe that the only way people will “keep Christ in Christmas” or remember “the reason for the season,” or any of those tired phrases, is if they really see it in action.

That’s the job we were left with.  And now is a great time to do it!