W H A T ARE W E GIVING
Our
Giftsfur HIM When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men came to worship Him. They brought gifts to Hun of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2 : 1 1 ) . Since at Christmas we are celebrating the birth of Christ, is it not fitting that we who are saved should also bring Him gifts? But, you ask, are there gifts which I can give Him? Yes, there are! Using as symbols brought to the Lord, I would like to suggest three gifts which you too can give Him. Let me explain. The first gift was gold. Gold is a symbol of purity. In Job 23 :10, Job said, "When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Also in Revela tion 3:18 we read of "gold tried in the fire.” The idea in both passages is that of purification, the removal of dross. Are you living before the Lord a pure and holy life? This is one gift He would be pleased to receive from you. The second gift was frankincense. Frankincense is the symbol of a fragrant testimony. The Apostle Paul teaches us in II Corinthians 2:15 that "we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.” This is a precious truth! It is God’s purpose that both He and men should see in the believer that which will remind them o f the Son. Are you manifesting Christ in your daily life? I f not, this is another gift which He desires. The third gift was myrrh. Myrrh is the symbol of suffering. When the Lord’s body was taken down from the Cross, Nicodemus "brought a mix ture of myrrh and aloes” to anoint it. Thus, myrrh is here related to death. The significance of this gift is expressed in the words of Philippians 3:10: "That I may know . . . the fellowship of His sufferings, being made con formable unto His death.” Are you ashamed of the Lord so that you are unwilling to bear the ridicule which the world will often hurl at the child of God? I f so, dear fellow-believer, then what time could be better
than this Christmas season to take a firm stand for Christ whatever it might mean to you personally? This gift would also give Him joy.
by DwightCttstis
These are gifts the Lord desires from His people, not only at Christ mas but throughout the year. They are gifts which each believer can give and which every believer should desire to give: The gold of a pure life, the frankincense of a fragrant testimony of Christ, and the myrrh of willingness to suffer'reproach for Jesus’ sake. W ill you give these gifts to Him?
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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