Ephesians 2:8-9 ” For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

It is simply by God’s unearned and unmerited favor that we have the chance to be saved.  It’s by His absolute free expression of His loving kindness towards us that we may come into a right relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ.  This divine gift…the gift of eternal life is not to be taken lightly, or with a casualness that doesn’t fully take into account the terrible price Jesus Christ paid for our freedom.  The gift of salvation can not be bought with a price…for what Jesus did for mankind was priceless.

John 3:36 ” Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. “

Inward unbelief in God is expressed outwardly in many ways.  You may think that cursing and using the name of the Lord in vain makes you tough or cool…even texting OMG seems so innocent until you realize it too is using the name of God in vain.  Unbelief can be expressed by what you watch, listen to, live stream, and share on social media.   Your unbelief can also show up in what or who you scoff at, mock, or make fun of.  Unbelief or even apathy towards God is dangerous and potentially deadly…listen to His voice and choose you this day who you will believe.

John 3: 16-18 ” For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

Jesus Christ didn’t come into the world to judge us.  He came to offer us the gift of eternal life and spiritual salvation of our souls.  The only thing we must do to be saved is to have faith and trust in Him.  There is no one on the face of the earth that is too far from the reach of the Lord…too evil, vile or wicked that His love can’t win.  But ultimately, the decision is solely ours.  Don’t turn away from this invitation, don’t  squander your chance for joy and peace.  Say Yes today.

Romans 5:8 ” But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God’s love for you was being manifested even while you were far from Him…His care and kindness were being revealed, even while you used  His name in vain and scorned His very existence.  Yes, over the course of your life God has continued to make it very clear that He loves you…to the point,  that if you were the only person on earth – Jesus would have died to save your soul.

Romans 6:23 ” For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. “

If we live a sinful life, in the end,  our compensation for all that evil will be death and eternal separation from God.   But if we accept the  gift of salvation offered to us by Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by way of His death and resurrection.   That free gift of  Salvation isn’t something we can ever begin to pay for…for Jesus has already paid the price for us.

Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

Every one of us has missed the mark in our relationship with God.  No one is found right before Him,  for even our “good works” are like filthy rags  in His eyes.  We are a  desperate, sinful people, living in a dangerous, evil world…unable to save ourselves…incapable of  redeeming our souls.

Revelation 3:20 ” Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me.”

The Lord is persistently beckoning at the entrance to your heart.  But He’s also a gentleman, and will never force Himself on you.  No, it’s entirely your decision to open that door…to invite Him into your life and experience true fellowship with Him.

Psalm 10:1 ” Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? “

We just think God is far off or even worse – hiding from us when times are tough.  But it’s only our own apprehension and doubt that causes us to question.  In Psalm 46:1 it states, ” God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” The Hebrew meaning for the word ever-present is – to be exceedingly present or found, emphasizing the speed, completeness and might of the Lord’s help.   The  truth is…God has never left, nor will He ever leave you.  Just because we think He’s not “doing anything” does not mean He’s not working in ways we aren’t aware of… for He’s still in control of the entire situation and will work things out for the good of those who love Him.

Ephesians 1: 18-19 ” I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. “

As Paul prayed this for the Church in Ephesus, I too pray this over you today.   I ask the Lord to shine a light on His Word that you may have understanding and confidence in His purpose and plan for your life.  I ask that He show you very plainly that you are a precious child of His, and an heir of heaven.

Psalm 24: 3-4 ” Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol.”

We all are tempted and enticed by idols.  Idols are everywhere,  and attempt to seduce us away from the only one true thing we should be worshipping – God.  If our behavior is innocent and undefiled…if our heart is uncorrupted and free from guilt we will see God more clearly.  For as it says in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”  The purer a person becomes, the more clearly they can see God, for there are no obstructions to block His face.