The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

EVEN if material desires hoped for during the holiday season are not met, the gift that does not require waiting until Christmas Day to receive is salvation; it is available to all who will accept it now, said spiritual leaders.

It is the one gift that should be received by all, said Rev Cedric Farquharson, senior minister at Salem Union Baptist Church.

It is his prayer that many people will form personal relationships with God and receive his gift that cannot be topped by any technological device or fancy material possession.

“Salvation is a gift that comes through the grace of God. We cannot earn it because God in his infinite mercy has given the gift of his son. At this time, this is the best gift anyone can have. A gift is only a gift when it is received and it is my prayer that those who do not know Christ as lord receive him this year. The gift of the love of God which is salvation is there, it is just up to us to receive it. It is the most important thing that we can receive,” he said.

To see the importance of receiving this gift, one must locate the place of need in their life, whether it is spiritual, emotional, or physical, and allow Jesus to meet the need, said Rev Angela Palacious.

“For me salvation is where you come out of sin into a place out of reconciliation with God. There is no more burden. It involves submission and acknowledging our needs.

Rev Palacious said once a person identifies loopholes and areas where they have been unsuccessful in their life, then they will be susceptible to accepting Jesus Christ, since he has overcome the world and there is nothing he cannot do.

“This is the reason why the bible said it will be difficult for the rich to be saved because their material needs are met and some of them do not see the need. However, at some point you are going to find the need for God because the money will not last forever. The challenge for this person is, what are they going to do if their child is killed; what are they going to do if the recession causes the loss of their money or what are they going to do if they have a terminal illness?”

The answers to these questions are simple when a person understands that getting connected and believing in Jesus Christ not only means that a perfect eternal future is available, but that there is an ability to live life heavenly on earth.

“You are restored so that God can give you everything that he had for you. When you do not have God in your life you do not know where you are going and the end is death. With salvation every burden is lifted, it is a new life and a new birth. Whatever you need in spiritual or physical terms are met and you are never alone. This is good news to the person who thought all their life they were unworthy,” Rev Palacious told Tribune Religion.

“We can fill up our lives with things because we are trying to run from the silence of conviction that we need a saviour. But the world was never designed to qualify or fill the void of a relationship without creator. Many people are missing on something that the world makes them believe they do not need,” she said.

During his time evangelising and sharing the good news with those he came into contact with, Rev Farquharson said many people were puzzled when he explained how simple it is to receive God’s gift.

“They do not believe that it is that simple but God has made it that way because he is so loving. The only thing that is required is to believe in Jesus with your heart and confess with your mouth that he is lord.”

“We want to emphasis that salvation is a present and we must move beyond seeking the reward, and live in a grateful response to the gift that we were given because God deserves only our very best,” Rev Palacious said.