Full Price!

In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace. EPHESIANS 1:7 AMP

Your location and identity will always determine your allocation. Life only delivers into your hands when you know how to lay claim to what belongs to you. As I read today's extract, a few things come to mind:

First, all of God's gifts were sealed through blood. I don't know of any other way I can claim the riches of God's grace, except I go through the blood. Sin required atonement, and a price had to be paid. I couldn't do it, and Christ alone had what was required. He paid it, and now I owe my life to him. Don't think it was a cheap price; it cost a whole life. The least I can do is to live my life daily in appreciation of that sacrifice.

Secondly, that sacrifice is the seal of my deliverance and salvation. Through the shed blood, a new way has been opened for me, so I can approach the place of grace and enjoy the benefits provided. The sacrifice is perfect for all time, as it takes care of the past, the present and the future. Even for unborn children, the sacrifice does not need to be repeated. All that I am asked to do is to accept that I cannot help myself, and put my complete and absolute trust in the One who loves me enough to give up his life for me.

Thirdly, it is a complete package. Nothing else is required and nothing else can be added to it. Men have always had a problem with human effort; we feel that God's offer is just too good to be true, so we feel we need to add something to it. We are not content with trust; we need to add labour. Unfortunately, our labour can never match up to God's favour and we will do well to recognise our limitations and trust that God is enough.

Fourthly, and closely connected to the third point above, is the truth that all we are and have is by grace. Grace is all we need. His grace was so rich then that even a sinner like Zacchaeus got a place. His grace was do rich that a murderer like Saul got a place. All around us today, we see men that we would naturally despise and consign to hell being saved and commissioned for assignments by God. That just tells me that with God's grace, you are never lost until you are truly lost, and you are only truly lost when you reject the free grace you have been offered free of charge.

I take stock today and ask myself if I am truly dependent on the grace of God, or if I have found an anchor in ability, capability or connections. Note that all the resources and help on offer are found IN God, not anywhere else. You can live in church, and still no enjoy it. You can be called the right names, and yet not enjoy the benefits that a personal knowledge of God brings. Don't be content with a head knowledge of what you are; find God for yourself and know him personally. The benefits are good for this present time and for all eternity. His time of favour is here.