Gift From God, Just Because

Gifts come for all sorts of reasons. There is the Christmas gift, the birthday gift, the wedding gift, the retirement gift, the graduation gift, the attendance gift, and on and on. Ultimately the gifts are for achieving something or reaching some milestone or for some sort of event. These are not new and in some respects are expected.

Now what about a gift that is given to which there is nothing you have to do or achieve or milestone or event. Imagine a gift that is given just because of the love for you. A gift to which you do not have to earn, nay, cannot earn. A gift for you that is free and all you have to do is accept. Well that is the gift of salvation given through the grace of God.

“⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

I really like verse nine above, “not a result of works”. I do not have to do anything to earn this gift. I do not have to reach a milestone. I do not have to achieve a level of attainment. I only have to accept the gift that is freely given just because God wants me to have it.

That is the way Christ works. He freely gives. He only wants me to have. He has provided for and blessed me with all that I have. Yes, there is work that I have done in this world to acquire things, but it would not have been made possible without the freely given provisions and blessings of God. All just because He loves me and only wants the best for me. And all I have to do is accept the gift and use it to glorify Him.

What do you receive gifts for? Are you doing things expecting those gifts to come as a result? What if you were to just look to God and accept the gift that He has for you that is given just because?

Gift of Physical Relationship and/or None

Lori and I have been married for what will be 27 years in just a few weeks. We have enjoyed our time together as partners and are looking forward to the next 27 years. Where our time together has not been without its challenges, we are still in love with one another and continue to grow closer. And our closeness includes our physical relationship as well. We are certainly giving fully of one another to the other.

“³The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. ⁴For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” — 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (ESV)

I do not want to get too deep into the weeds here of our physical relationship other than to say that we are happy to be there for one another. Our physical relationship is a gift that we accept and are thankful for.

This is not to say that being celibate is not without its goodness either. Paul was celibate for the duration of his ministry and counted it a gift as well. Paul was fully devoted to the LORD and counted himself blessed to do so.

“⁶Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. ⁷I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. ⁸To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.” — 1 Corinthians 7:6-8 (ESV)

Paul is content with the lack of human physical relationships as he is fully committed to the relationship with Christ. He makes it clear that where this is the life for him, he fully understands that the gift of celibacy for him may not be such a gift for others and where it is not, then the physical relationship should be sought, but only under the guise of marriage.

Both the physical relationship with a spouse, and/or celibacy are a gift to be celebrated. Whereas Lori and our marriage is a gift from God, our physical relationship is as well. Yet that is not to say that the celibate relationship with God is not a gift in and of itself. My mothers 45 year celibate relationship with God is just as beautiful as our 27 year marriage to one another.

Which gift are you enjoying today? Are you concerned that no physical relationship is somehow not as rewarding? What if you count your relationship as a gift, whether physical or not and embraced the love between you and God or you and your spouse as a gift from God?

Gift of Life as a Result of Being a Slave to Obedience

“¹⁶Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” — Romans 6:16 (ESV)

The word slave conjures up a lot of controversy in society today. I want to put it out there to ensure that I am clear in that I am not drawing ire as I do understand the controversy. Paul is speaking to how we live our lives and what it is that we allow to master our lives.

We have a choice as to which we allow to take the lead in our lives, sin or obedience. The choice is an easy one, yet the result is drastically different and will impact in profound ways. When we select to be a slave to sin, we are running toward lawlessness and think in selfish terms as we go through this world. When we select to be a slave to obedience, we are running toward the LORD and that which He has for us, righteousness.

“¹⁹I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” — Romans 6:19 (ESV)

On the surface, sin may seem like a natural choice to fit in this world and be accepted by society as one of the group. The problem with it is that the group and society are lost in sin and are on their way to death and destruction as noted by Paul in verse 16 that I have quoted above. Society is ruled by the evil one and he is leading the way to destruction.

I chose to be a slave to obedience and therefore lead to eternal life with Christ. No, it is certainly not easy and I will stumble and fall, yet the end result is movement toward Christ and the glory of heaven is confirmed as my home.

“²²But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:22-23 (ESV)

Notice the shift in focus here from being a slave to obedience to being a slave of God. I know it may seem a bit strange to accept, and my first paragraph speaks to what we allow to master our lives as opposed to who masters. But look at my previous sentence and that paragraph and the use of the word “allow”. The key thing for me is that it is a choice as to being a slave in this instance. I choose to be a slave to obedience and subsequently a slave of God. I want it to be so and I embrace it as I know the end result is that of eternal life with Him in heaven.

What is it that you are a slave? Are you living your live to serve society and allowing sin to be your master? What if you accepted obedience and allowed yourself to be a slave to it and subsequently being led to righteousness and eternal life in heaven?

One Sin, Followed by Death, One Gift Accepted, Followed by Life

The title is correct and yet may be a bit confusing for some, and I have to say that it took me a minute to get through it so that I could share my thoughts.

Let me start with the first part of the title, “One Sin, Followed by Death”. You see, it was Adam and Eve who committed the first sin. They ate from the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” and as such disobeyed the one thing that God had prohibited of them. They sinned one time and that sin lead to sin of all and lead to the death of all (here in this world). Had they not sinned then they would have been companions to one another and to God, likely for eternity in this world in the Garden of Eden. Yet, their one sin started the ball rolling for all of us to be sinners and subsequently dying in this world.

“¹²Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” – Romans 5:12 (ESV)

Then there is the gift of salvation from God to us, “One Gift Accepted, Followed by Life”. The sin committed by Adam and Eve led to the sin of all, the gift of salvation, where offered to all, is only for those who accept the gift. I know that is hard, yet as I think of my study of the word “gift”, I am reminded that everyone is given the opportunity to accept the gift and where all my receive it, all will not accept. For those who do accept, they are granted eternal life once again that eluded them thanks to the sin of Adam and Eve.

“¹⁵But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.” — Romans 5:15 (ESV)

Yes, both sin and the gift of salvation were the results of one man’s actions, Adam and Jesus, there are very different paths to the impacts of those. Sin is passive and all of us are sinners as a result of the actions of Adam. The gift of salvation is active and all who accept the gift are saved as a result of the action of acceptance of that gift provided by the actions of Jesus. I have to remember the active part of the equation and take that into my day to day to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to hear and accept and not just expect that everyone has or will at some point. I have to be the conduit by which everyone receives the gift and has the chance to accept and therefore lead to life eternal.

How did you come to be a sinner? Are you even aware that you are a sinner due to the actions of one, Adam? What if you accepted the gift of salvation, knowing that it is due to the actions of one, Jesus?

Be the Example

Ever notice that in society, the prevailing theme is to be seen. And think about that which is thought to be of importance: silly dances, hacks to life, sensationalism, and the like. What has the world come to that all of that is what is important in the lives of people.

“⁷Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” — Titus 2:7-8 (ESV)

Now that is what I am talking about. Paul points out to Titus that is “good works” and “integrity, dignity, and sound speech” we should be concerning ourselves with. And, it is not “to be seen”, but rather to be the example of what right is. It is this example that sets us apart from the world and not the ability to be seen as the silly dancer or hack or somehow more sensational. I have to remember that the LORD has tasked me with bringing the gospel to the world and doing so as His example.

“¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹²training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” — Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)

God has prepared me to complete the tasks He has for me, and it is my duty to follow through with that duty and do so as His example. He has provided for me the framework and the direction and the skills, and has instructed me to just do the work. I am to follow His lead and be an example to others, through my actions and not through the attention grabbing antics of the world. I am to be “zealous for good works”, not seeking for the world to know me, but they will know of my works and of God.

What are you seeking in this world? Are you looking to be seen as the silly dancer, life hacker, or sensationalist? What if you focused on being a zealot for good works as an example of Christ and simply spread the gospel as God has instructed and allowed the glory to be received by Him?

Works Now, Grace Before I Began

This morning I am looking at another realization as I study “works”. Grace was granted by God well before I began. Yes, I know, I have looked at that grace comes before works as I am not able to “earn” my way to salvation from works, the works are a demonstration of my salvation given by God through grace and my faith in Him. But His grace predates my existence here in this world.

“⁸Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” — 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)

Paul has written to Timothy 2000 years ago and he indicates that God provided grace “before the ages began”. I came along in the now, relatively, and that puts me even further out from when grace was given. Therefore grace did come well before I began and my works are only a result of that grace.

The thing that I have learned, or was reminded and realized is that God’s grace was eternal and will be eternal. He gave it long ago for those who would receive and will continue to give to those who did receive and have yet to receive. It is faith in His grace where I have to remember to reside and do the works to demonstrate that faith in His grace.

Now that I have learned or reminded and realized of God’s grace well before I began, it is important that I remember it as I progress forward in this world and lean on His grace for all of my actions and works. I have to guard against being influenced by the world and falling into the trap of trying to “earn” my way. I have to trust Him and follow His direction.

“¹³Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” — 2 Timothy 1:13-14 (ESV)

Where are you leaning as you move forward? Are you leaning on the now with the works that you are doing and trying to earn your way? What if you realized that you have already received the grace that was given you even “before the ages began”?

Be Rich in Good Works

“¹⁷As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” — 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)

There is nothing wrong with being rich. The thing is where are you placing your trust and worth, in the monetary things of this world or in the riches to be gained in heaven. There are plenty of people in this world who are monetarily rich and no one knows because they are not out there in the world pronouncing their riches. They are the ones out there doing the work of Christ and using their monetary wealth to enrich others through their work. These people are doing good and are rich in good works as Paul indicates in the above verses.

Yes, there are those who are in it for themselves and are building up wealth in this world and fully self absorbed in it all. These are the ones out there pronouncing their riches for the world to see and throwing around a few things in full view of the media to be seen as somehow the picture of generous and caring, when in reality the percentage of themselves and their wealth being spread is almost indiscriminate compared to others. These are the rich Paul warns about in the above verses.

I have to look at myself and wonder where I fall in this riches conversation. I am not “rich” by monetary standards, but do feel rich in the fear of the LORD and with my family and that which is here in my immediate world. I have a church where I feel compelled to serve, even in what may seem like a role that gets little to no notoriety, breaking down the building to which we worship. Yet, I do not look to this role as minuscule, it is a vital part of the church and my service to the LORD. I may not have all the riches as one would think, yet I am rich in the LORD.

I have to continue to rely on God and the riches He provides. And “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share”. I may not have the financial ability to share greatly, but I do have time and effort that I can share and I have to be generous. It is not the substance of the gifts, but the attitude of the gift that means something and I have to remember that I am rich, at least rich in good works.

What do you provide for others as you walk through this world? Are you looking to be the one that provides monetarily and struggle with the amount you have and or can/will give? What if you realized that God provides for you to be rich and you can share your riches of good works with the world?

Into Light or Dark Via Works

I have a choice to either be in the light or in the dark. That choice is driven by my works in this world.

“¹⁹And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. ²⁰For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. ²¹But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” — John 3:19-21 (ESV)

These are the words of Jesus. He came into this world and into the darkness to expose the people to the light that He is. He gave the people the opportunity to come to something greater. He did not stay on the throne and ask the people to come to Him, He went to them where they were.

I like to use imagery to visualize what things will look like, so here goes. I have watched a number of movies where the lead character goes into a dark room or area exploring for whatever it was in the movie. As the character goes into the darkness, the light they are carrying exposes the hoards of beings congregating. As the light shines on the beings, they move, but not toward the light, away from it to avoid the light that exposes them for what they are and what they have done. In the darkness there may be a few that are not like the others and when the light is brought into the darkness they will move toward it to be rescued from the darkness and the beings found there.

Jesus came to be the light in the darkness and as He came those in the darkness either moved away to remain unexposed or they move toward Him to be rescued. I personally choose to be rescued. I have done some things that I am not proud of and it would be easier to move away from the light and stay in the darkness so that I and my actions are not exposed, but what does that get me but more works I am not proud of and I will perpetually remain in the dark. By coming into the light, I may have some challenges getting there, but thanks to Jesus, the reward of salvation and forgiveness and grace are far greater than the shame of remaining in the dark.

I have to allow my works to speak to who I am. I can choose the works to be “carried our in God”, or I can choose to remain in the dark and remain shameful for the works carried our there. I choose to be in the light and carrying out the works that God has for me to bring glory to Him and the gospel to the people.

Where are you spending your time? Are you in the dark, ashamed of the works you have done? What if you were to see and come to the light that is God and accepting the forgiveness for those works and continue forward doing the works of God in the light?

Added to the Family of God

I think about all that takes place to be added to a family here in this world. Well first there is the natural order of child birth. That is not the simplest of things and takes a good amount of time. Second, there is adoption and that can be time consuming and expensive and there is a lot of work to be done. There is a lot to it being added to a family here in this world. What about to be added to the family of God?

“⁴¹So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls…⁴⁶And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” — Acts 2: 41 & 46-47 (ESV)

I read this morning in Acts that what is required to be added to the family of God is receiving the Word of God. Only the need to hear and be added. All can happen in a few minutes. No long time to prepare. No money needed. Only to believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and to devote yourself to Him.

“²¹And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” — Mark 10:21 (ESV)

The only requirement is to believe and follow Christ to be added to the family of God. It is not hard to be added, and the cost does not seem high. There is only to follow Christ and believe in Him to be added. And as noted from the rich young man’s story in the following verse, it is still more than most are willing to commit.

“²²Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” — Mark 10:22 (ESV)

Being added to the family is an undertaking. Whether it is adding to this worldly family and going through all the work and or time it takes. Or is it being added to the family of God and giving all of yourself to Him. Either is something that takes commitment. Although to become a member of the family of God is easy in the actions needed and only takes a moment, it is not to be done without the commitment to Christ. The devotion to Him is an in kind devotion He has to me. I have to give all of myself to Him and know that for it, I have received salvation and a relationship with Him, and my final rewards are not of this world, but in heaven.

It is worth the commitment to me. I have family here in this world that took work and continues to do so each day. I have been added to the family of God and where being added was not as difficult, my commitment is one that takes work and continues each day.

What does being added to the family of God look like to you? Are you resistant to the thought of what is required? What if you accepted the Word of God to be added to the family and then committed to the work that continues each subsequent day?

Nothing Can Be Added

As I have been studying, I have thought about and written that nothing should be added or taken away from the Word of God. This morning I have been reminded in God’s Word that nothing can be added to His work.

“¹⁴I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. ¹⁵That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.” — Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 (ESV)

God endures forever and therefor His work endures forever. I forget that sometimes as I work my way through this world. I continue, as a man, working to do for myself and forget that God has already worked everything out for me as noted in verse 15 above. He has already outlined the day and the days to come for me and it is my role to dig into His word and find that outline for me and execute.

Where I am to execute the plan that God has for me, I am to do the work to get the result He has already accounted for. I refer the idea of “commander’s intent – (the desired endstate) – https://www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/wfldp/docs/Shattuck.pdf, page 2” in accomplishing the work. I am tasked with conducting the work and allowing God’s plan to be realized through my work. The “endstate” has already been determined by God an I am here to carry out the work to reach the “endstate”. I do not know how the work I do impacts the “endstate”, I only know that I am to do the work. The work of God is already predetermined, at least the result is, and there is nothing I can or should do to add to or take away from that end result. Each instance is its own and God has already determined it all and only the completion of the work assigned should be in my purview.

I have and will do enough to accomplish the work that God has for me. I only need to do the work assigned and allow God’s work to shine through my work. I am just the hands doing the physical labor as God is the architect of the end result. His plan has already been established and I am not here to add to that plan or take from that plan, only to execute to realize the plan.

What have you been doing as relates to the work of God? Are you trying to do more than your task to somehow further impact the end result? What if you simply did the work that God has for you and allowed for His plan to unfold based on that work?