The free gift of salvation

The lead Scripture for today is found in James 1:17 AMP

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above;

it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens],

in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting]

or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]."

Often times, I have wondered what draws us to appreciate gifts received from loved ones. I don't have all the answers but there is something about a beautiful gift that's free and lasts a long time. Even when it may not be a gift of preference (as our tastes may vary), the thought and time invested in putting this gift together is always humbling.

Romans 6: 23 reminds us that God's salvation through His Son Christ Jesus is a perfect gift from the Father who is in heaven above to us here on earth as His children. That is, "for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It so happens that the gift of salvation is also free as it's not based on works (Ephesians 2:9) and it lasts forever! The free gift of salvation is also extremely humbling because despite the introduction of sin by the enemy (Genesis 3) , God in all His might and power considered us worthy to be free from bondage (Hebrews 2:15) and reconciled us to right relationship with Himself through our faith in His Son Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Bible also informs us the day of judgment that is, the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is delayed because He desires for everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9).

This makes me consider, again, is there a chance that we are drawn to gifts as humans because our Heavenly Father placed this desire in our hearts to ultimately receive the supreme gift which is wrapped in love by faithfully confessing and gracefully receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?

Of course, our loving Father has more gifts to grant us as His children in addition to salvation. However, may I submit to you that salvation and relationship with God is the one gift that keeps us filled with a life of contentment, both now and forever with the love of God that surpasses any human understanding through faith in His Son Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:19).

In conclusion, I invite all of us to examine our personal relationship with the Heavenly Father. In the midst of our different responsibilities as parents, siblings, friends, professionals, etc, do we remember to acknowledge God in all we do or attempt to spare sometime each day through prayer, thanksgiving, reading and meditation on Scripture or praising Him?

During this examination, I encourage you as a believer to honestly assess yourself and give no room to feelings of guilt and fear because there is no condemnation at all for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Where there is God's mercy, His grace is also ever present to uplift, encourage and give us direction to get to know Him better through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) when we come with open hearts.

Invitation to salvation: Finally, in case you have not already, I invite you to believe with your heart and confess with your mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins. I repent of my sin. I choose Him as my Lord and Saviour today and forever.

Congratulations, by grace you have been saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

As a new believer, I urge you to prayerfully consider becoming a member of a church and buying a Bible or downloading the Bible app on your mobile in case you don't already own one!