One Expression of God’s Love

The Greatest Gift of All

In the Gospel of Luke, the author recalls recent events with the purpose of setting things in order. You see, something quite miraculous had happened. The promise of the Messiah had been fulfilled; the King of Israel was born. Luke undertook creating this historical record so that the most excellent Theophilus[1] would have a full understanding of the events that surrounded Jesus’ life in a chronological order.

Unlike other historical records, Luke's was different because he was writing about a work of God that would forever change the relationship of humans with Him and would bring about the downfall of our enemy—Satan. A work that was wholly unexpected from a human’s point of view[2], for Luke's history tells of something that no one could have ever thought possible—God came in the flesh[3]. So stunning was this new event, that not even the spirit beings[4] could fully comprehend it. How could the God who created the universe be in the form of a man, who was created a little lower than the angels? As Scripture states, “You had made Him for a short time a little lower than the angels, You have crowned Him with a proper opinion and honor…[5]”.

This was nothing they had seen before, even though many times the spirit beings accompanied the Son of God when He manifested Himself to men as the Messenger of the Lord[6]. This time was different, because now, one of the persons of the Godhead[7] was in the form of a little child.

Luke begins his account just before this miraculous birth was about to take place. According to Scripture, something had to occur before Christ’s arrival in Israel. The prophet Isaiah informed Israel nearly 800 years earlier that there would be a voice in the wilderness crying, “Make straight the way of the Lord[8].” Now was the time of the forerunner’s birth.

Zacharias was a priest who was righteous before God, for he and his wife, Elizabeth, had walked in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord[9]. However, they did not have a child and were far beyond the years when bearing a child was even possible, though they continued to supplicate[10] to the Lord for one. In the normal order of things, Zacharias was to fulfill his service in the temple and as the lot fell, he was assigned the task of burning incense in the temple of the Lord[11]. For many hundreds of years, the priests had done this service, all in their appointed time, morning and night[12]. This occasion was no different, as far as any man could tell.

When Zacharias entered the temple, at the side of the altar a messenger from the Lord appeared[13]. Zacharias was overcome by fear when he saw the messenger, but the messenger told him not to fear, for his supplications unto the Lord had been heard and his wife would bear a son whom they would call John[14].

Why was this significant? John was no ordinary child. God intended to use him to bring joy to many. He would not drink of wine nor strong drink but would be mentally filled by the Holy Spirit even from His mother's womb. Many of the sons of Israel would turn back to the Lord through his ministry—a ministry designed to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord! The time had come. The prophecies were being fulfilled. The Messiah was coming!

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy with John, the messenger Gabriel was sent by the Lord to a city in Galilee called Nazareth. This time, he was not sent to Zacharias but to a young woman espoused to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.[15]. The young woman’s name was Mary. She was troubled by the appearance of the messenger, who said, “Rejoice! Favored one. The Lord is with you.”

“What manner of salutation was this?” Mary thought to herself. As she pondered the messenger's words, he spoke again, "Do not fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son whom you will call Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most-High and God will give Him the throne of His father David. "[16]

Many years ago, during his reign, King David found favor in the eyes of the Lord, for he was a man who sought after God's heart.[17]. God gave David a promise: He would raise up a son from David’s lineage who would sit upon his throne[18]. His son would be called wonderful counselor, almighty God, the father of an age, prince of peace. He will save His people from their sins and there will be no end to His kingdom[19].

All of Israel knew of this prophecy and hoped for the day when their Messiah would come—a day when they would be free from their enemies, and they would possess all that God had promised them.

What a wonderful message to hear—you will bear the Messiah! But wait—how could this be possible? Mary was perplexed and said to the messenger, “How will this be, since I have not known a man?[20]” Gabriel then revealed to her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, for the Holy Thing that she would bear will be called the Son of God[21]. This would be no normal birth, because no male would be involved. You see, the Son of God did not need to be born into existence for He has always existed[22]. Moreover, the seed of man is corrupt, so it cannot produce a suitable body for the Son of God[23]. Therefore, the Holy Spirit and the Father prepared a body for Him[24]—One that was free of the sin nature of man[25], capable of housing a Person of the Godhead[26].

The child growing in Mary's womb was no ordinary human. While He possessed a soul and spirit like all humans,[27] God the Son supplied its person. The second Person of the Godhead took on the outward form of a servant and was found in the likeness of a man[28]. He would personally fulfill the promise to David and sit upon his Throne. The Messiah that Israel had waited so long for was none other than God Himself wrapped in flesh.

Unknown to any man or spirit being, the Godhead determined before creation that God the Son would take on the outward form of a man[29]. As an expression of love to humans, God the Father gave His one-of-a-kind Son to the world, and all those who believe in Him will be given eternal life[30]. For God, who at various times and in many ways, spoke to Israel through the prophets, now, in the last days would speak through His Son. The Son is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His substance[31].

Why the gift? Why is it necessary for humans to believe in the promise related to Jesus Christ? Why is God offering eternal life?

Thousands of years ago Adam disobeyed God, and as a result, all humans came under judgment[32]. Not only did Adam pass on the judgment for his sin, but also the effect his trespass had upon his nature. Consequently, all humans are born under slavery to a nature that is bent towards doing wrong, even though they inherently know what is good.

While Adam sinned knowingly, Eve, who was with Adam when he sinned, was thoroughly deceived by Satan. Using a serpent, Satan tricked her into disobeying God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil[33]. As a result, both Eve, the serpent, and Satan were given specific punishments.

Within these punishments, however, was a significant promise: God declared to Satan that the seed of the woman would crush his head. [34] This was not just a declaration of judgment upon Satan but also a promise to humanity that God would bring salvation through this man.

Since the nature of Adam is passed on to all of his descendants, all men are under condemnation[35]. This was a problem—How could a savior come from man since all are condemned? Ah, but God did not say the He would come from the seed of man, rather, from the seed of the woman.

Jesus was born of a virgin[36]. Because the seed of man was not involved in His conception, He was not subject to the condemnation passed down from Adam. Thus, Jesus was uniquely qualified to save humanity.

Now, Gabriel is announcing to a virgin, espoused to a descendant of David, that she will give birth to a son through the work of the Holy Spirit. This miraculous event would fulfill God's promise and bring salvation to Israel. Nothing is impossible with God, for even Mary’s cousin Elizabeth—whom Mary knew was past the age of childbearing—was now with child[37].

What could Mary's response be? Before her is a messenger from the Lord telling her that she would be the one to bear the Messiah, the savior of her people. What an incredible privilege!

Oh, but there is yet another problem. Mary is espoused to Joseph. And to man's knowledge there is only one way for a woman to become pregnant. Mary was found with child before their marriage was complete. Infidelity, even as a fiancé, was totally unacceptable and was often punishable by death.

However, Joseph was a just man and did not wish to publicly disgrace Mary. Therefore, he had determined to release her privately[38]. While he pondered on this decision, a messenger from the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that Thing which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit and she will bring forth a son and you will call His name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins.[39]”

All of this occurred to fulfill the prophecy: “Behold a virgin will be with child and will bring forth a son and they will call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us”.

Joseph did as the messenger of the Lord had instructed him and took Mary to be his wife. Yet, neither of them truly understood how much of an impact this child would have upon all humans.

In one expression of love to the whole world, God gave His one-of-a-kind Son—a child born of a virgin, of the seed of a woman, not under condemnation, and none other than God the Son, the second person of the Godhead.

Although God the Son existed in the outward form of God, He did not regard an equal outward manifestation of His Deity with God the Father as something to be grasped. Instead, He emptied Himself of His appearance and received the appearance of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of a man, and found in an appearance according as a human[40].

He was no less God, yet now He had taken on the outward appearance of a man and was living among men as one of them—so much so that He was about to be born, just like a human.

During Mary's pregnancy, Caesar Augustus made a decree that the inhabited world would be registered[41]. As a result of this census, all were to go to their own city, the city of their kinsmen, to be counted. Since Joseph was of the linage of David, he and Mary had to go to Bethlehem, the city of David[42].

In the spring of that year, they arrived in Bethlehem. During their stay, the time came for Mary to deliver her child. The Son of God was on the verge of coming into the world. However, due to the influx of people for the census, there was no room available in Bethlehem. Every inn was full. As a result, the King of Israel—the Messiah who would save His people, sit upon the throne of His father David, and establish a kingdom that would never end—was born and laid in a manager, a place where animals fed, not where kings slept[43].

his was far from what Israel had expected. They anticipated the Messiah to march into Israel in glory as a King and defeat their enemies once and for all. Yet, while many had abandoned their hope in the Messiah, there were still those who trusted in God’s Word.

Due to Daniel's influence among the Chaldean, some had learned of an ancient prophecy that a star would appear in the heavens at the time of the Messiah's birth. These Magi, skilled in the study of the stars, had kept a watchful eye on the heavens, awaiting the birth of the King of Israel[44].

On the night of Jesus' birth there were shepherds in the field tending their flocks. Suddenly a messenger from the Lord appeared! The glory of the Lord was shining all around them, which caused them great fear. But the messenger spoke and reassured them that they need not fear, for he was bringing them a message of great joy. “This very day in the city of David a savior was born, one who would be called Christ the Lord[45].”

What a truly wonderful message this was—a tiding of great joy not just to the Jews, but to all people. As a sign for the shepherds, they would find a young infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger[46].

Suddenly, as the messenger was speaking to the shepherds, a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared praising God shouting, “Glory in the highest to God, and on earth peace, goodwill among humans.[47]” This must have been an overwhelming and spectacular event for these shepherds. Not only did a messenger of the Lord appear, but the hosts of heaven appeared expressing a proper opinion of God. So many angels were giving God glory for what He has done: a work that would bring peace to all those in whom God had good pleasure.

After all of this was done the shepherds said among themselves, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to past, which the Lord has made known to us[48]”. With haste they began their journey to Bethlehem—the very city the prophecies foretold was where the King of Israel would be born. There they found the child just as the messenger had told them.

After seeing the child, the shepherds spread the news about what they had seen and heard, sharing the marvelous events of that night. Then they returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had experienced[49].

Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of Herod[50]. The Magi who had seen the star that signified the coming of the King of Israel traveled to Judea to seek Him out. As they traveled through the countryside to find the child, they were asking where the king of the Jews was located.

Herod became aware of their inquiring and was troubled, hearing of this new king. He was appointed king by the ruling Romans and a king of the Jews would pose a great threat to his authority. Herod called together the scribes and chief priests of the people and demanded to know where the Messiah would be born[51]. They quickly informed him that according to the prophecies, He would be born in Bethlehem in the land of Judea.

Herod then secretly spoke with the Magi to find out when this star appeared. He then sent them to Bethlehem to seek out the child, asking them to come and tell him when they had found Him so that he could also worship Him[52].

As the Magi left to continue their search for the child, the star, which they had seen in the east, was before them until it came to stand over where the child was living[53]. As they entered the house and saw the child with Mary, they fell down and worshiped Him. After a journey that had taken nearly two years, they had finally found Him—the child promised long ago, the Messiah, the King, the Savior of the Jews

Out of reverence for who Jesus is, the Magi presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—gifts fit for a king. Though they had no real idea of the impact that this child would have on all mankind, what a wonderful journey this had been, they found the King of the Jews.

What a gift! What an expression of love!

During this time of year, we set aside a day to remember the incredible gift God has graciously given to the whole world. God became flesh and dwelt among us, and humans beheld the glory of the one-of-a-kind Son of God, full of grace and truth[54]—a grace and truth that had never been known before. Through Him the whole world is truly happy, for it is only through Him that salvation has come to men[55].

The birth of Christ was a fulfillment of God’s promise to the Jews. Through Him God would bring about all that He had promised Israel: the land and the prosperity. It is also through Jesus that God would save the Jews from their sins. However, the Jews rejected Him. He came unto His own things and His own people did not receive him[56].

As a result, salvation is now offered to all men—both Jew and Gentile. The Jews stumbled, but not that they should completely fall; rather, their stumbling brought salvation to the Gentiles.[57].

As we go about this Christmas season, for those of us who are saved, let us remember that it was this gift that God gave to the world, the gift of His one-of-a-kind, Son that is the reason we take time to celebrate. As we give gifts and share with family and others, may we keep our minds focused on who we are in Christ. In Christ all things have become new[58]. In Christ, God continually expresses His love towards us[59].

The one act of love that God showed the world so long ago made all this possible[60]. Since this single act of love was so great, imagine what things He has in store for us, the ones that He loves. A love so great, that we are called the sons of God[61].

For those who have not taken God at His Word for salvation. Salvation comes by faith through grace alone, not by our works for righteousness. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without consideration of merit. For those of you who are seeking how to be saved, this benefit is also being extended to you. God is not looking at whether you deserve salvation; He is freely offering salvation to you. Simply take God at His word.

Faith is always based upon a promise; it is the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen[62]. The promise that God has given is that if we believe that Christ died on behalf of our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures we will be saved[63].

God's love gave the world exactly what it needed. A Savior. One who would pay the ransom to free us from the penalty of sin and give us new life so that we can walk in righteousness and fully experientially know God.

May we take this time to reflect on this incredible truth.

For all who have believed, we possess an incredible salvation: we are free from the rule of sin in our lives, enabled to overcome Satan and his demons when they want to influence us to act independently from God, and awakened from the slumber the world system imposes to blind its followers to the truth.

God has given us the greatest gift of all. Let us use that gift by expressing a proper opinion of God through our actions as we live out the salvation He has provided.

God’s love in sending us a Savior is a true expression of love and the reason we take this time to celebrate the birth of Christ.

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[1] Friend of God

[2] 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

[3] John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

[4] Angels, Seraphim, and Cherubim. They are beings that were first created by God that inhabit the second heaven (space) and serve in the third heaven before God.

[5] Hebrews 2:7, 9 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands... But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

[6] Exodus 3:2 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.; Judges 2:4 So it was, when the Angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voices and wept.

[7] One God, three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

[8] Isaiah 40:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

[9] Luke 1:6, 7 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

[10] Cry out for help

[11] Luke 1:8, 9 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

[12] Exodus 30:7, 8 “Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

[13] Luke 1:11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

[14] Luke 1:12, 13 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

[15] Luke 1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

[16] Luke 1:30-33 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

[17] Acts 13:22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

[18] 2 Samuel 7:12 – 17 When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³ He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ¹⁴ I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits perversity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ¹⁵ But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. ¹⁶ And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever. According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

[19] Isaiah 9:6, 7 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, A Father of an Age, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace. There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.; Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

[20] Luke 1:34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

[21] Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

[22] John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

[23] A nature that was now corrupt due to sin was passed on to all of Adam’s offspring. Genesis 5:3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

[24] Hebrews 10:5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.

[25] Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but having been tempted against all according to likeness, apart from sin.

[26] John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

[27] 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[28] Philippians 2:6-8 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

[29] 1 Peter 1:20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

[30] John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one-of-a-kind Son, that all the ones believing in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

[31] Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

[32] Romans 5:18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

[33] 1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

[34] Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

[35] Genesis 5:3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

[36] Genesis 5:3; Luke 1:34, 35 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

[37] Luke 1:36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

[38] Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

[39] Matthew 1:20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

[40] Philippians 2:6-8 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

[41] Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

[42] Luke 2:3 – 5 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

[43] Luke 2:6, 7 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

[44] Numbers 24:17 I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.

[45] Luke 2:8-11 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

[46] Luke 2:12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

[47] Luke 2:13, 14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

[48] Luke 2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

[49] Luke 2:17-20 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

[50] Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,

[51] Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

[52] Matthew 2:7, 8 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

[53] Matthew 2:9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.

[54] John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

[55] Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

[56] John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

[57] Romans 11:11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

[58] 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore since someone is in Christ; a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new

[59] 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.; Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.; 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[60] 1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

[61] 1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

[62] Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen.

[63] 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.