The Single Greatest Gift:
The Gift

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:6-10

Key Verse:  Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–

In our printed key verse for today, the Apostle Paul reminds us that our salvation was initiated by a God of grace.  The word grace means unmerited favor, God showing favor or kindness to people who could not earn it.  As we stand in the presence of a Holy God, there is no way for us to say or do anything that would stand as evidence that we were worthy of His love.  The only thing our continued rebellion could earn was everlasting punishment.  As Paul wrote in Romans, “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10).

            We are recipients of God’s grace.  He refused to let all his creation be lost eternally.  In Ephesians 2:7 Paul described in vivid terms what God did: “…He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”  The grace of God is indeed incomparably rich toward us.  Out of God’s heart flows His wonderful kindness to you and me that we might be part of His family!

            When we come to Him and confess our sinfulness, God forgives and gives us His gift of salvation.  A gift is not a purchase, it’s free.  If we did something to earn it, our human nature would soon be bragging about what we did rather than what God did!  It is a gift, a gift from God to us.  This gift is for every single living soul that ever steps foot on this earth.  Let’s tell everyone about their gift.

Father, I want to stay grateful for the gift I have received from you.  I bless you for your amazing grace given to me!  In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.