Gifts of God
READ: Ephesians 2:8-9
Kelly had climbed up into a tree and had gotten stuck. Luckily her father was close by and heard her cries. As he got closer her tears disappeared. When he said, "Jump, I'll catch you," her face lit up with a smile. Then, without thinking twice, she leaped to safety into her father's arms. She had faith in her father. She wouldn't have jumped to just anyone. She knew her father loved her and that she could trust him because he never lets her down.
The Apostle Paul reminds us we are saved by grace through faith. We have already seen what Jesus has done to win our salvation. He has lived and died for us. We also know that he's given us forgiveness and life as a gift.
Having faith, means trusting that Jesus has forgiven us. Faith is jumping into God's loving arms, knowing that we will be safe there forever. Both faith and salvation are gifts to us from God, but we must believe.
It is clear in our reading that even faith is something that is worked in us by God. Like Kelly's father, our God has shown us that He can be trusted. He has not held anything back from us. He gave us His one and only Son. He has promised us that he'll never let us down. We can be sure that God will keep that promise, just as he's kept all the promises He made to us in the Bible.
Our Lord Jesus Christ assures us that all our sins are forgiven. The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts so that we believe the good news of the Gospel. The next time your sins weigh you down, the next time your faith feels too weak, remember God's promises. Then, thank God that He has given us freely the gifts of salvation and faith.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: When is the last time you said thanks to God for all He's done for you? Do you ever really think about all the things He's blessed you with? Don't you know you can trust Him with everything, and come to Him with anything?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Thank God for His faithfulness. Ask for the kind of Christian spirit which will enable you to be considered trustworthy and a source of strength to your friends.