Receiving the greatest gift in the world

I was born into a very faithful Christian family. My family went to church every Sunday; everyone knew where we would be on Christmas and New Year.

And I thought I was, too.

For the last year, I’ve been isolated from the world by my choice. I wanted to focus on my future, and during that time, I had more time to connect with my God.

I have been studying the Bible recently, as in actual study.

• I learned the term “gospel”-funny how I didn’t even know the meaning.
• What sets Christians apart?

We receive a gift from God Himself-salvation through His one and only Son-so that we, too, can be clean in the eyes of God and enter the realm of Heaven.

And no work-no amount of good deeds-would be enough to earn that gift.

That is why it is a gift. All we have to do to get the ticket to His home is to accept it.

Accept that He is our Lord, and only through Him are we reborn.

I also learned about the Holy Spirit. His presence was unclear to me all these years. Here is my understanding: He is our advocate. Jesus had to leave so that the Holy Spirit could come to all of us—to protect and guide us.

And since it is a gift, we are sin-free as soon as we accept Jesus and repent. (it is an instant cure, not a reward you get gradually through a process of work) When we walk with the Holy Spirit, we are whole—we are cured, perfect in ourselves.

I finally understand these words.