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2 Corinthians 9:15 - Too Wonderful for Words.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT) Thank God for this 
gift too wonderful for words!  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Something that people often overlook when 
they think about the birth of Jesus is that the 
beautiful Child born in Bethlehem and placed in a 
manger was born to die. Its hard for us to think 
about the fact that those soft baby hands would 
one day grow into the hands of a strong Man with 
spikes driven through them. 
   Its hard for us to think about the 
fact that the little feet of the baby Jesus would 
one day be nailed to a cross of wood, and the 
little forehead of the Babe in the manger, so loved 
by His mother, would one day be crowned with 
thorns. 
   But know this: He came with a purpose. He 
didnt come to this earth simply to show us how to 
live a good life and give us the greatest 
teachings that humanity has ever heard. Nor did He 
come merely to perform miracles and show us the 
truth about life. Jesus Christ did that and more. 
Yet He was born in Bethlehem with the express 
purpose of going to a cross and dying. 
   From the moment He arrived on Planet 
Earth, Jesus Christ lived in the shadow of the 
cross. He was born to die so that we might live. 
   The wise men had insight into His purpose 
when they brought the unusual gifts of gold, 
frankincense, and myrrh. They gave Him gold because the 
Child would be a King. They gave Him frankincense 
because they recognized that He would be our High 
Priest representing us to God. And they brought Him 
myrrh, which is used for embalming. 
   They recognized the King, the High 
Priest, would die for our sins. And He would give us 
the ultimate gift, which the Bible calls a 
gift too wonderful for words (2 Corinthians 
9:15 NLT). Or, as the New King James Version 
renders it, His indescribable gift. 
   Have you ever received an indescribable 
gift? Probably not. You might be able to describe 
an unusual gift, or perhaps you saw it 
somewhere before. But this gift from God is 
indescribable. It is inexpressible. And it is eternal. 
   Lets say that someone hands you a 
beautifully wrapped box and says, Merry Christmas! 
So, you reach out and take the gift, and then 
they say, That will be $29.95. 
   That isnt a gift. Thats a sale.
   However, God has offered us a gift, no 
strings attached. Although it is free to us, it was 
bought with the blood of Christ. Its the gift of 
eternal life. 
   So, what do we need to do? We need to 
reach out and take the gift, receive it, enjoy it, 
and use it. God is offering us the forgiveness 
of all our sin. Dont miss that. God is 
offering us the removal of our guilt. 
   If youve never asked Christ to come 
into your life, if youve never asked Him to 
forgive your sins, if youve tried to find 
fulfillment in things, relationships, or even in 
Christmas itself and always come up short, then its 
time to come to the God whom Christmas is all 
about. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   For three summers in my youth, I was a 
lifeguard. And like every lifeguard understands, I knew 
that you cant save somebody as long as 
theyre trying to save themselves. When someones 
drowning, theyre typically panicked. Theyre 
flailing around, trying to stay afloat. If a 
lifeguard tries to help them while theyre still 
trying to save themselves, then theyre going to 
take the lifeguard down with them. So a good 
lifeguard will often swim out and wait until that 
person is exhausted and gives up. When they stop 
trying and they start trusting, the lifeguards 
job is easier. You just put an arm over their 
shoulder and swim back to shore. 
   You cant save somebody when theyre 
trying to save themselves. 
   Some people are trying to save themselves 
spiritually. They may think theyre going to get into 
heaven because of their good works. But God 
doesnt grade on a curve. Heaven is perfect, and 
were not. We need someone who is perfect to get 
us in on his ticket, and that someone is Jesus 
Christ. If there were any way we could get into 
heaven without trusting Jesus as our Savior, then 
God would have done it. If we could go to heaven 
by just trying to be a genuinely nice person, 
then Jesus death and resurrection were 
pointless. 
   Theres no way were getting into 
heaven on our own effort. Thats why God came up 
with the plan for Jesus Christ to come to earth 
and die for our sins. But he cant save you 
until you stop trying to save yourself. Stop 
trying, and start trusting. 
   The fastest thing in the universe is the 
speed of light: 186,000 miles a second. If you 
dont believe it, try opening your refrigerator 
door before the light comes on. You cant beat 
it! 
   But theres one thing faster, and 
thats Gods answer to you when you ask him to 
save you. It is instant. Theres no delay. 
Theres no waiting period. The moment you say, 
God, help! I need you to save me, Gods 
response is instant. Your salvation is secure. As 2 
Corinthians 5:17 says, a new life has begun! 
(TLB). 
   It will be the most life-changing prayer 
youll ever pray. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/ re 2Co. 5:17] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 

2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Life in Christ.

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230831-0901.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/