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Title: Always a Gift
Date: Jul 22, 2010
Topic(s): Jesus, Salvation, God's Love
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 2:4-8, Romans 5:8-9, Titus 3:4-6, 1 John 4:9-10, Titus 2:11, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8-9

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Is it hard for you to believe a gift is a gift? That a "free gift" doesn't always have strings attached? Thanks to marketing gimmicks, you and I are accustomed to clever strategies that promise a "gift" if we try a product, listen to a sales pitch or spend our money first.

God doesn't use those marketing strategies. When He offers you a gift, namely the gift of salvation, there's no hidden agenda. You don't have to rack up bonus points, buy something else first or do anything to work your way into the gift.

What Does God Say?

If you're not sure about that, look at Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (ESV). Salvation comes by grace--God's grace--and it's a gift--from God. You didn't do it; you didn't work for it or earn it; in fact, it's impossible for you to earn it.

Titus 3:5-6 adds, "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (ESV). That "He" is God. And this gift comes to you by His mercy through Jesus Christ the Savior.

Both passages not only point out that salvation is a gift, but they also underscore that we do nothing to earn it. That's what makes it a gift.

My Thoughts

The gift of salvation comes through Jesus Christ. It's always through Jesus, no one and nothing else. Look up these passages to see some of His reasons.

Romans 5:8-9; 1 John 4:9-10
Ephesians 2:4-8; Titus 2:11
Titus 3:4-6; 1 Peter 1:3

• What motivated God to give us this gift?
• What else comes with it?
• What is your part in the process?
• What are some other things you learn about God's gift of salvation from these verses?

My Part

So, how do you get this gift of salvation? You have to do something to open a gift, right? It's much the same with salvation. The gift is there. You decide whether to unwrap or accept it. You accept the gift when you "believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31, ESV).

The only one who did any "work" for your salvation was Jesus Christ. He died on the cross and then was raised from the dead, taking care of your sin and conquering the stranglehold of death. When you believe in Him as your Savior and the only One who can make things right between you and God, then you've accepted this amazing gift. That's it. All you have to do today is ask.

If you'd like to know more, please click on the "Meet Jesus" section here on Bible Minute.

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