gifts

We talked last night in youth about the difference between hope and faith. We discussed Christmas and how hope is going to bed on CHristmas eve hoping that certain gift we asked for is under the tree. Faith is going to bed knowing without a doubt that it is there. Sticking with that theme, salvation is a free gift. When have you ever gotten out of bed on Christmas day, ran into the living room and opened gifts. As you open each gift, you make a list and ask the giver how much you owe them. Is that how you handle it? No, it isn't we open the gifts and say thank you.
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "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, so that no one can boast,"
According to these verses salvation is a free gift based on Grace. Grace is our unmerited favor from God. It is an undeserved gift from God based soley on His love for us, His creation.
So we decided that we don't make a list and decide what we owe for gifts. But, we do make sure we give them a gift in return. My dad has a very close friend that he exchanges gifts with each Christmas. It's a funny thing. Each year they meet up on Christmas eve and exchange their gifts. His close friend's name is Tom and they are both mechanics. Several years ago my dad and mom decided on a gift for Tom and felt good about it, until my dad opened his gift from Tom and it was something he had wanted for quite a while. My dad felt like he had been outdone and his gift to Tom wasn't adequate. Well, if anyone thinks that we get into heaven by works, or that we can earn our salvation, they're wrong. For the simple fact that the sacrifice of JEsus Christ leaves us with no gift that would match, so it would never add up.
Remember we are saved by God's grace, based on our faith in Him and nothing else.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!