DAILY DEVOTION, 12/10/2020, The Gift

Romans 3:23-24 (NASB)
²³  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴  being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus—

This is one of the great salvation verses we find in the New Testament. In a few words, Paul says it all. We all have something in common. We have all sinned and fall short (far short!) of the glory of God. Salvation begins with our recognition of this fact. If we are like the Pharisees and believe we have earned God’s favor through obedience, we have turned away from God. Once we admit that we have sinned against God and deserve an eternity in hell, we are on the way to recovery.

Next, we realize that God offers us salvation (justification) as a gift. This gift is offered to us by God’s grace. We don’t deserve it (who deserves a gift?), but God graciously says to us, “I know you have sinned against my holy will, but I will forgive you and offer you a gift. There is a simple condition. If you will trust in the redemption granted to you through My Son, the gift is yours.”

Our salvation is tied to Jesus. If we trust Him as Lord and Savior, we enter into the family of God. Faith does not earn the gift. Faith receives the gift.

Gracious Father, I thank You with every ounce of strength I can muster. Thank You for Jesus, who suffered for me and is my redemption. I cannot undo the sins I have committed. My only hope is to trust in Jesus and in the forgiveness He purchased for me at Calvary. May His name be blessed forever, Amen.