A True Gift - No Strings Attached

"Today's Devotion" For March 8, 2006

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-8

A TRUE GIFT - NO STRINGS ATTACHED

"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, that no one can boast." (Eph. 2:8, 9)

Certainly each of us has heard the following phrases at one time or another: "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is" and, "There's no such thing as a 'free' lunch." Both of these phrases underscore our natural human skepticism when it comes to the idea that we don't have to work for something. Infomercials on television, and increasingly on the internet, are touting ways to "make money with only a few hours work a week." Testimonials galore support such claims and the "infomercial gurus" are making a killing. One entrepreneur has lamented that there are so many "useless scams fleecing the public that legitimate opportunities rarely see the light of day." If you "Google" the names of some of the more prominent "infomercial gurus" or the word "scams" you will find page after page after page after page....of complaints, comments, and angry "customers" who consider themselves to have been "fleeced" by phony promises and false hopes of wealth and riches.

For most of us, the idea that we're getting a "deal" and a "bargain" is quite alluring. Double coupon days at the grocery store have generally been quite well received and have resulted in increased business for the stores that offer such incentives. Increasingly there are offers of dining certificates at local restaurants which might be purchased for half price - a $50 certificate for $25. "Buy one, get on free" incentives are quite common and also well received by the public. People are generally more receptive to the idea of paying something and getting a bonus than they are to getting something for nothing. We're attuned to the idea that working is necessary in order to obtain what we want or need. Even the thief knows that effort is required in order to steal and obtain what's desired.

In the light of these circumstances that face us every day, is it any wonder that people are so generally skeptical about God's promise of salvation as a gift of His grace. The common and normal reaction to such an offer is: "God is going to give me eternal life without any effort on my part? What's the catch? When does the other boot drop?" Our sinful nature finds it hard to believe that something as valuable as the forgiveness of sins and eternal life is a gift. To think that anyone, much less God Himself would offer His life as a sacrifice to save us from our sins - with no strings attached - is such an incredible thought that people are generally predisposed to put God's saving action into the category of "If it's too good to be true it probably is."

Have you ever heard of a gift that wasn't "free?" That's how a gift is defined. It can't be a gift if it's a payment for something. It can't be a gift if it's given for future consideration. It can't be a gift if there's any cost to the one who receives it. It can only be a gift if it costs the giver, not the receiver. That's why God's promised salvation from Sin, death, and Satan is a gift. It cost Him everything - Jesus' life on the Cross bearing the sins of the world. It costs us nothing, for God even works through His Word and Spirit to change our heads and hearts so that we might believe His promises and receive His forgiveness. It's so difficult for people to believe that anyone, much less God, would give such a gift without any strings attached that God's people have even taken to a redundancy in sharing the Good News as we proclaim that salvation in Christ alone is a "free" gift of God's grace. Can there be any other kind of gift?

Yet, no matter how skeptical people might be of God's gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, it is, nevertheless, the truth. Salvation comes with no strings attached. Christ died for our sins and paid the ultimate price for them on the Cross. He freely and lovingly died the ignominious death on the Cross so that all people, everywhere, of every time and place - who simply believe in God's promises as fulfilled in Jesus Christ - might be saved from their sins and restored to their Father in heaven. It's may seem like "it's too good to be true," but it's not. People might approach their spiritual life and God's promises in Jesus with a "There's no such thing as a free lunch" skepticism, but it doesn't make God's promises any less true or real. We are saved by God's grace, freely given in Jesus. Our sins are forgiven each day by faith in Him. Our lives are filled each day by God's presence in Jesus. God's forgiveness and our salvation is truly the only thing in life, and in death, that's really "free." In the end, that's the one thing that truly gives our lives meaning and purpose as God works in us to touch others with His love.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me the precious gift of salvation in Jesus. Even though it "freaks people out" that salvation is a gift of Your grace in Christ, and not something earned by any human action or thought, Your Word and Spirit have shown me the truth of Your promises and I believe. While I believe, Father, please help my unbelief, for my sinful nature still wants to find "strings attached" to Your gift of salvation and the forgiveness of my sins. Help me to grow stronger in faith each day that I may always remember that even the faith in Jesus that saves me, is Your work and gift to me as well. Guide me to live fully in that gift of faith in Jesus that in all I do and say I might be a winsome witness to others of Your love in Christ and the gift of salvation in Him for all who believe. In His precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
*****************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.