Saved!

Saved!

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8 KJV

The Foundation:

Take a look at the verses before today's extract; you find the state of man before God intervened. Man was destined for utter destruction due to the power and influence of sin, and there was nothing man could do, of himself, to dig himself out of the hole he had found himself. This was a situation that education, earnings, elocution or enlightenment could not help. Someone or something that understood the predicament man was in, and could offer a lasting and permanent solution to the issue of sin, was required. This is where God and His grace stepped in; grace will not be grace if there is an element of works, or if I could earn it by influence or labour. Grace will not be grace if a man could sell something to buy it. This is where God shows both his power and His love. 

The Expectation:

Salvation is the gift of God, flowing from the grace He has freely given. Salvation is a need for all men, no matter their status. The plan of salvation was first laid out at the scene of the first crime, which means that salvation was not an afterthought. God knew we would need it, and in His wisdom, He planned ahead for it. God will definitely play His part, but there is a part He counts on me to put in, and that is faith in that plan. I have to trust that the gift that was given, which is Jesus His Son, is sufficient to wash me away from all sin. Why come to God if I cannot trust that His plan is not sufficient? Why call on Him if I have no confidence in the blessings and benefits that accrue from the cross? The cross has power, but it does not compel me to come; I have to come in faith, trusting that the blood can do what it was shed to do. 

The Conclusion:

Faith is that secret ingredient that makes the whole package worth it. God's gift can sometimes be presented in unattractive packaging. If anyone had told us that the way back to God will be through very painful death on a cross, rejection by men and taunting and hatred for the One who would save, we would have argued, because it would not have made sense. Thank God he did not wait for it to make sense before he made good on his plan. I stand here today because of the blood. I am who I am today because of the blood. I can look to the past, and thank God for both the present and the future, because all have been secured by the blood. God has given the best gift possible: himself. How do you respond? How would I? God's time of favour is here.