Take a moment to think about the best gift you ever received. Now consider – how does it compare to eternal life? We read in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Eternal Life! No more stress and aggravations. No more pain or sorrows. No more “what ifs” or “if only’s”. Just simply life in heaven with God, wanting nothing.
How awesome is that?! And it is ours for the asking. In fact, we can not do anything to earn this marvelous gift. All we have to do is believe in Jesus – for by grace we are saved through faith (Eph. 2:8). When we truly grasp the reality of this gift, it is overwhelming. “Thank you” seems so small and weak. Still, what else can we say but in utmost humility, “Thank you, Lord.”
God so loves us that He gives Himself to us. Receiving such an extraordinary gift invites a response. Our best response is to love in return. We do that with joyful praise. We do that by receiving God’s gifts gratefully, managing them to the best of our ability, and then sharing them with those most vulnerable amongst us. God gives us everything including eternal life, and so, we can’t help but give back of our Time in prayer, using our Talents to serve others, and giving our Treasure in support of the mission of the church – thank you, Lord.
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