Ephesians 2:8-9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

YOU CAN’T CLAIM THIS

Did you really read the verses today?  Read them again.  Salvation is a gift.  There is NOTHING you can do to earn it.  No amount of works or good deeds will get you there.  You can’t say, “Look what I did.”  Every other religion in the world demands that you “do” for your god.  Not Christ.  He DID it all for you!

So, the question is, “Why don’t people want this gift?”  I mean, think about it.  How many people turn down a gift.  It is expressly given to them.  This gift is always the right size, color and usefulness.  But people reject it every day.

TEACHING MOMENT

When is your child(ren)’s birthday?  How do you celebrate it?  I bet that day involves gifts, right?  Of course, it does.  You want to bless your child for being born into your family.  On that special day, why not share this passage with them?  As you give them their birthday gift, remind them of the gift of salvation that the Lord Jesus died to give them.

I have never met a child yet who doesn’t want a free gift.  They love to open gifts.  This gift of salvation requires some explanation, but make sure they understand that they can never earn it.  It has to be received freely.

Have you received this gift?  “Sure I have Carl.  I’m reading this devotion, aren’t I?”  Reading the Bible or a devotional doesn’t save you. You have to deliberately say to the Father, “I am a sinner and I need your gift of salvation.”  Then and only then can the Father give you this gift.  Don’t you want it?

Father, thank you for the gift of salvation.  Thank you that your storehouse of salvation never gets low.  You have enough “gifts” for everyone on this planet.  Help me be more deliberate about sharing these gifts with others.

Will you share the gift with someone today?