ÒThanks be unto God for his unspeakable Gift

(2 Corinthians 9:15)

 

ÒUnto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.Ó — The appearance of God in human flesh was the embodiment of the Gospel. Surely nothing but good could result from the miraculous birth of the God-man. Well did the angels sing, ÒGlory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men

 

Whenever we think about the incarnation and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, all who know him are compelled to employ the apostleÕs language in our praise: — ÒThanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!Ó For your Son, O Lord, we cannot give thanks enough. Words cannot be formed which would express the gratitude of our hearts.

 

Jesus Christ is the gift of God. We had no claim upon him. We felt no need of him. We did not desire him. But, freely, out of his abundant love and grace, God gave us his Son. — ÒFor God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.Ó God the Father gave us his Son in the covenant of grace. He gave us his Son in his condescending incarnation. God gave his Son at Mount Calvary. And God gave us his Son in the new birth. In giving us salvation and eternal life, God gave us Christ and all that he is, all that he has done and all that he possesses. Christ is our salvation, our life and our all. And all who have him have him by the free gift of God.

 

As the gift of God, Jesus Christ is unspeakable. Who can describe the glorious Godhead and perfect humanity of our blessed Lord Jesus? The complex union of the God-man is a mystery beyond human understanding. We can only say, ÒGreat is the mystery, of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh.Ó Is there a man who can adequately explain the vicarious life of Christ, our Representative, as he accomplished righteousness for us, or his vicarious death as our Substitute, by which he obtained eternal redemption for us? No. We can only say, ÒThanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift

 

Yet, the Lord Jesus Christ is a gift of whom we must and shall speak very much. We speak of him to God in prayer and praise. Our prayers are truest and our praise is best when Christ is the center, when much is said of his person and work, his greatness and glory, and our complete indebtedness to him for everything. We speak much of him in his house, much of him in our conversations with men, and much of him in our own houses. Blessed is that house in which ChristÕs name is the name most often mentioned with honor and love! We shall speak of him to men while we live. And we shall speak of him eternally among the hosts of heaven. There everyone says to him and of him, — ÒWorthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessingÉBlessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and everÓ (Rev. 5:12-13).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

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