Purposing to be Grateful for the Gift of God (Eternal Life) (Part One)
but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 6:23b (KJV)
Not too long ago my wife, Gloria, and I were having lunch at one of the local restaurants near the church office. After an excellent meal, excellent company and a sweet time of communication without any entrapment by an electronic device (definitely a divine act of God), it was time to pay our bill and tip the server. (Yes fellas, I said a sweet time of communication as opposed to grunting like a farm animal.)
I thanked the server for attending to us and then I asked the server would she be interested in receiving a gift that would never lose its value or significance. Her body language and the look on her face implied that she did not believe such a gift existed. And I believe that she politely wanted to “smile” the nice man away. I mean, she was probably thinking that this could be deal breaker with respect to her tip. However, I would not let her off on what I believe was the hook of reckoning for her life! I asked her to make it a point to read a passage out of the Bible (Romans 6:23) where she would find the Gift that comes only from God. After that we gave her a nice tip and our church information card which also had the Gospel message on it.
Question: Are you purposing to be grateful for the gift of God? Are you gripped by the goodness of the gift of God which is eternal life?
The adjective “grateful” is defined as being warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful.
I invite you to ponder on the following passages and points of application for the purpose of pulling us out of the grip of complacency so that you can advance to a deeper appreciation for our salvation!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. - Ephesians 1:3-7 (KJV)
The apostle Paul spells out some of the many spiritual blessings that are ours, not just in the future, but also in the immediate sense.
As a child I was taught a song that encourages us to “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done!” So let's count some of the blessings from our compassionate and benevolent Father –God:
- We enjoy spiritual blessings which far exceed any material blessings and will never lose value or significance. Therefore, they are eternal.
- We are chosen by God before we did anything or could have been anything for God. We were hand-picked by Him.
- God our Father has destined us to enjoy the adoption as sons. God's unfolding plan for us not only includes salvation and personal transformation, but also a real, rich and rewarding relationship with him.
- These blessings are ours in the heavenly places in Christ, they are higher, better, and more secure than earthly blessings.
- We have absolute acceptance from God
- We receive redemption (ransom paid in full) and forgiveness that is forever and it comes to us according to the measure of the riches of His grace, which isextraordinarily extravagant and eternal!
Now that you have been exposed to the eternal truth (Word of God), did your attitude of gratitude reach an altitude that touches our Father in Heaven?
NOT A SERMON BUT A THOUGHT
- PBKSr.