Sunday, August 29, 2010

August 29 (Ephesians 2:8)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (NIV)

The mere fact that you believe in God, believing and accepting the saving grace of our Lord Jesus, is a gift from God. Think about that for a moment. You may have studied and read much about the Christian faith. You may have analyzed the arguments for and against its truths. Yet the ability to believe at all is a gift.

We do not know fully why God hardened the heart of Pharaoh. We do not know why some have the gift of faith and yet choose to reject it. For those who have it, however, and have chosen to use it, there can be only one response. It is sheer, absolute, overwhelming, humble gratitude. There is no room for spiritual pride among the followers of Christ. When we come to terms with the fact that our lives in all their full richness, both now and in the world to come, are the result of pure grace, our hearts burst with the desire to praise and thank the Giver of this grace.

We should be grateful for all the blessings of our lives. When was the last time you thanked God for your faith itself?

Father, I do not know why you have granted me the ability to believe, but I thank You from the bottom of my heart. Thank You, too, for all those You have put in my path to teach and lead me ever closer to You. May I serve likewise in the lives of those around me. In the name of Christ Jesus, my Lord, amen.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven R. Perkins

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