A reminder for
today
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable
compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually
delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this
[salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the
[undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a
result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will
[be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We must never be embarrassed or ashamed about our faith. Christmas
gives us an opportunity to bring Jesus into the hearts and homes of people all
over the world. It is so important that we steer away from the material Christmas
and focus on the Jesus Christmas. I love these verses from Ephesians. Paul wrote
what I try to live out each day. He says that we are saved by grace through our
faith in Jesus. But he continuous to remind us that it is underserved. Now I do
not know about you, but I feel that when you compare me to Paul I do not even
make the long short list. Yet, Paul stresses the undeserved part and then he
says it is not given to us for our works and our attempts. It is given freely so
that no one can boast about it and so that anyone can receive it.
When you think about this it should bring you back to Christmas
and the gift of Christmas. The real gift is not those under the tree, but that
you give that is from within you. That which is stirred up by faith and love
and the grace we receive from our Lord. It is the gift of Jesus Christ in every
form of love that you can give. It is a warm hello, food to the hungry, a friendly
face, understanding, forgiving, patience, time, love, sharing, showing, hugging,
laughing and telling the story of Jesus.
It is all about God. It is not about trees, decorations,
expensive gifts, making money, hurting, taking or breaking. It is all God and
it will always be all God. It is not how great you are or what you did, it is grace
and faith and Christmas should be every day, because Jesus rose from death and
showed us what love is all about. Love is not a momentary thing, love is an
everyday thing. Love is forever, and love existed from the beginning. Love is
you and love is in every moment we live. Out of love we are saved so it is out
love that we should live and share and give and journey.
Come with me today and let us love, because He loved us
first and He is love. Let us love, because through love we can show this dark
world the true meaning of who Jesus is.
Lord, let us love completely and let us show you through our
love. Let us unite in prayer as we celebrate your love and grace. Let your
people turn back to you in this Christmas and save us. In Jesus name.
Have an awesome day, dear friend of Jesus.
Cheers