More and more today, our nation and even our so-called Christian churches are being molded by what is “inclusive,” culturally acceptable, and politically correct. Ignorantly, so as to be inclusive and ecumenical many today may say, “Well. Jesus might be one way, but we must recognize that it’s not the only way.” Or, “Yes, that is one religion, but there are many great religions in the world, and we must be tolerant and accepting of all of them.” But we must recognize that what is really being said is, “No thank you God, we’ll find our own way of finding heaven…if heaven really exists.” Or, “Maybe we can mix all the religions together and make a unified belief that everybody can accept.” What happens when those of society say “No thank you, God – we don’t want to go that way?” The historical record is painfully clear. It is a giant step in the wrong direction, toward doom, death, and destruction.

Anytime anyone turns to the man-made religions of the world, they are saying “No thanks, God.”  We don’t need your gift of Christ and His blood. Mohammed had no divine blood to offer for man’s sins and he is admittedly dead today. Buddha and Confucius simply offer us philosophies, having no blood to offer. Hinduism’s 100,000,000 idol gods have no divine blood to offer and so they are not the answer for man’s needy condition.

No other religion than genuine Christianity offers God’s genuine Gift for mankind – Jesus is the only LIVING Savior and the only God the human race can claim as the real Savior. Only Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit of God the Father to bear and shed His Royal Blood as the gift of God for mankind… to take away “the sins of the world.” John 1:29 (AMP) The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world. Thus the Bible declares, Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (but Jesus) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Sadly, many so-called Christians; in name only, ones who do not really know Him intimately, those who have never trust in Him as their Lord and Savior, live beneath the blessing available to them – missing out on God’s Gift in Christ. They still live essentially saying, “No thanks, God, I can live my life on my own, – I go to church, so I don’t need you involved in my daily living.” They think they have all they need. Actually, they are like the Laodiceans of Revelation 3, to whom the Lord replies; “Because THOU SAYEST, I am rich, and increased with goods, and HAVE NEED OF NOTHING; and knowest not THAT THOU ART WRETCHED, AND MISERABLE, AND POOR, AND BLIND, AND NAKED” (Revelation 3:17).

Most recognize that we are living in a very difficult time… and this well could be the last time some of us will celebrate Christmas. I am not trying to be overly dramatic or alarmist, but this is the truth. Human life is innately temporal and our world is filled with terror and uncertainty; it seems to be careening towards disaster.

Yet, there is one certainty… and His name is JESUS. He is “THE GIFT OF GOD.” What He offers is forgiveness, salvation, peace, and the genuine everlasting type of life – God’s very life - to be in us as our eternal life that we may enjoy right both now on earth, and then also forever!

I trust that none of us as Christians is saying “No thanks, God.” We can right now accept anew the wondrous benefits that God’s Gift has to offer us by grace through faith, then to enjoy the flow of His life in us.

Romans 10:8-10 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

NOTE: This paper was adapted and expanded from thoughts offerred in an article by Rexella Van Impe.

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