Connecting Point: A Free Gift

Some echo the words “There is nothing free in life” The pessimist opines, “In one way or another there’s some sort of catch.” Sadly some relationships are founded on play for play or a hard fast IOU. Power and greed infect our lives way too easily.

Here’s some refreshing news: the Bible teaches us there is a far better way. In a world enamored with self-centeredness, God’s kingdom is quite opposite. God offers each of us a free gift. Jesus through an act of selfless love paid the price for our sin.

This grace is offered to any person, no matter how ugly our past is or the depths of our sin. Paul speaks of the marvelous grace, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,”(Ephesians 2:1-10).

Following Jesus involves life transformation; we strive to live by God’s principles daily turning away from our selfish nature. His grace is a free gift. How each of us responds to this free gift is a choice. God does not force his love upon us; he created us with free will. We can easily reject his love. As Ephesians states, salvation isn’t a gimmick of human imagination but comes directly from God.

Have you received this free gift? If not be assured God loves you and will pour his love lavishly upon you when you call out to Jesus to be saved.