Receiving the Gift

Have you ever been given a gift that you did not want? I have! I will not go into all the details of these misguided items that had very little thought of me or use to me. In those items, I was aware of them but I did not value them or use them as the item was purposed.

I have also received gifts that were perfect! These items had so much thought and care put into them that I treasured and they humbled me by their worth. These are the items that I gladly use and cause me to smile when I think of the gift giver.

In both gifts of the unwanted and treasured, they were given to me without my effort to produce the items. I did nothing to deserve the gifts. The gift demonstrated the generosity of the gift giver and how they valued me. This is what humbles me to tears and fills my heart with joy when I think of God's amazing gift He has given to us all.

It is your and my choice to receive and use His gift of salvation that determines whether it is a blessing in our lives. You see, God has given us all forgiveness of our sins against Him through Christ Jesus. Without deserving it or earning it, God gives us His One and Only Son to take on our sins and His wrath as atonement.

Jesus, being fully human and fully God, redeems and saves all of us that trust in His work on the cross. This is God's gift to us. Have you received His gift? Do you cherish His gift? Do you use and rely on His gift? I do. Please contact your local pastor or me if you want help to do so as well.

GOD IS GRACIOUS

Grace is God’s kindness to those who do not deserve it. God is slow to anger and desires to forgive people of their sins. God’s grace in salvation reaches out powerfully to sinful people and makes them alive in Christ when they were dead in sin. We are blessed and found to be righteous when we accept and receive His grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV

For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Romans 6:14 NIV

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.