God's gift of His Son Jesus is the most audacious love act in history. As human beings we are hard-wired in the flesh to earn our keep. As children we work to earn good grades; we do chores to earn allowance and we work at things to earn our parent's approval. As we grow into adults, we work to earn degrees, paychecks, recognition, material wealth, etc. Some of us continue our whole lives working in an effort to earn attention or love from others. But God, His story is different. He dares to tell us that His love is one thing we could never earn. We could never earn His favor, His blessings, His salvation. It's His gift; it's His love work.
At first when we meet Christ we are overwhelmed by the idea that God could care so much about us that He paused His attention of controlling the entire universe to call us by name. We are overjoyed, perplexed, shaken, changed. We can't believe the amazing joy and love that this God bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ His Son. We can't believe God thought us worthy of His love. As we receive Him, we receive His promise that "who so ever believes in Him, shall not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE!" (John 3:16)
As we trust God with our salvation, we then learn to trust Him with our daily lives. He actually promised to meet all our needs. He taught us His prayer "give us this day our daily bread." We then learn He called us long ago, before even the world began. We realize that we have a choice to live for Him fully or return to a selfish life of serving human interest number one (ourselves.) It's here that we need to pause and ask, "what oh Lord are the works of God?" What must we do to please you? How must we live now that we have this gift? Must we do something more? After all, we are used to earning our keep. We are used to earning the affection and approval of others. Isn't it the same with God?
Here's what happened when the people who saw Jesus in action, making miracles, multiplying food, meeting their needs asked Him this question.
27Don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that gives eternal life. The Son of Man will give you this food, because God the Father has given him the right to do so." 28"What exactly does God want us to do?" the people asked. 29Jesus answered, "God wants you to have faith in the one he sent." (John 6:27-29)
Aha! God's idea of work is believing and having faith in Him! So, now that we have this gift of salvation, this amazing gift of God's love, will we turn around and try to earn it? Let's stay far away from that idea. God's thoughts are not ours and His ways are higher than ours. We can't fully wrap our minds around this kind of love, this kind of gift. But, we can believe, we can trust, we can have faith that God said it and He will do it!
"You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. [a] This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. 10God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are." (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Dear Christian, check yourself. Are you living free in Christ or have you returned to the ways of the fleshly nature, some how trying to earn His favor. Will you cease from your work and enter His rest? God has planned long ago for you to be part of His kingdom. He has chosen you before the foundation of the world began. Now enjoy His gift and tell others about it! For faith is the work of God!
Love in Christ,
Sharon Marusteri
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