The Gift That Really Keeps On Giving
A friend of mine recently sent another one of those “friendly” spams – the ones that are well intended, may actually have a use of sorts, but are still annoying at their core. As is typical, this one had some nice pictures (like the one above) and passed along greetings, felicitations, and a desire for the recipient’s well being – then advised that forwarding the mail to ten others would guarantee it. The picture below is the one that annoys.
Nowhere in the Bible have I read that there is there a price for improving my life. In the corporeal sense, I guess there is. For example, if I want to do well in a job interview I should buy a better suit or at least spend the money to clean the one I have.
However, I am not sure Jesus would approve of the statement in the picture. His actual message was more "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Salvation is a gift, offered freely, is without cost, and requires no effort. Jesus said, “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b). Tickets won’t be sold to the Second Coming, but reserved seating is free and available in advance.
This is not to say that God’s children don’t have duties. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37). That’s not work, that’s a pleasure. And it’s not very hard, is it? Some tasks may seem to be difficult, as in Luke 9:23: “… If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Think about it, though, and you’ll see this is just an act of love: putting another before ourselves, much as a husband and wife might set aside money to afford having children rather than splurging on personal pleasures.
Salvation, an improvement on anyone’s life, is a gift that can be opened everyday. Please remember to send a thank-you card signed “Love, …” and your name.
