Christmas is in a couple days and it’s common to refer to it as the “season of giving.” We give gifts to co-workers, family and friends—homemade goodies, clothes and toys for the young and old. There is no denying that it is a blessing to give to others, particularly those in need. The saying that “’Tis better to give than receive” is biblical.
In Matthew 7:11 God acknowledged that we know how to give good gifts to our children. However, He did not make mention of it because He admired how we exercised parental love. He used it as an analogy to demonstrate how a loving Father gives good things to His children whom He loves. He used the analogy to point to His love for us.
That portion of Scripture starts at Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” He is a God that gives many good things, but His greatest gift to us is salvation. For those that recognize that they have broken the law of God and are unworthy to be saved, He calls them to repentance and faith. Go to God and ask for forgiveness! Seek God in humble prayer and you will find Him. Rely exclusively on the salvation that was earned by Jesus Christ and it will be given to you.
Truly God is love, but He is also just. 2 Peter 2:4 tells us “God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment.” That is sobering language to be sure, but this is the kindness and the severity of our God. His judgment is both just and final, but His love is given freely and to an immeasurable degree to the one who repents and believes.
When we seek God truly, humbly and sincerely, the gift that He gives is not wrapped and hidden. In Luke 11:13 He made it plain exactly what He has for us. It is better than a Rock’em, Sock’em Robot, a new bike or even a new car. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
Therefore, ‘tis the season of asking! Go to your God in humility, asking Him for forgiveness and for the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.