The Greatest Gift: A Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ

A gift is wonderful to receive, as long as there are no strings attached. Years ago, I was given my first cell phone, which I thought was a great gift. The monthly fee was even going to be paid for, but there was a string attached. I learned that the real reason for receiving the gift was so that, at any time, my boss could contact me. Initially, I enjoyed the gift, but over time, it became a burden, wondering if a call was from my boss calling me into work or just a friend wanting to chat.

However, the gift of salvation has no strings attached. In Romans 6:23, it says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." There are no conditions, no catches—just a gift freely given. Period.

Acts 15 describes the struggle early Christians had with Gentiles not being circumcised, which went against the old law. But Peter stood up among the church leaders and explained that traditional Jews should not require Gentiles to be circumcised because it was part of the law. No one, including the Jews, could uphold the law. As Acts 15:10 says: "Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?"

The greatest gift anyone can receive is the gift of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I pray that you have such a relationship.