Text:
Ephesians 2: 8&9
Memory Verse:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
Patricia was excited; her birthday was fast approaching and she knew her father was going to give her something nice. After all, she is turning 18 this year. She wondered and hoped it would be what she has always wanted, a car.
Everyone loves a gift and we all go out of our way to treat others to gifts on special occasions. At Jesus’ birth, the wise men brought gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). A gift is something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation. It could be money, talent, endowment, or aptitude. Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines while alive and sent them away from Isaac. The talents we exhibit, especially as artisans, are gifts from God.
The greatest gift of all, however, is the gift of God’s only Son, Jesus, who was given to reconcile man to God (John 3:16). By His death on the cross, Jesus paid in full the penalty for our sins. It is the grace resulting from this great sacrifice that was given to us as a gift to qualify us for forgiveness and salvation. It was bestowed on us voluntarily. We did not and could not have earned it. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
What then do you do with a gift? To truly become yours, you accept it and claim it. What have you done with the gift of Jesus? Have you accepted Him and claimed Him for yourself?
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, I thank You for the gift of Your Son.
2. I accept Him as my Lord and Saviour.
