Unbelievable Offer

Daily Reading: Acts 15

We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. (Acts 15.11)

Devotional Thought: Aren’t you glad that salvation is by grace through faith?  Can you imagine our predicament if we had to somehow convince God to save us?  It would take a pretty good sales job!  I don’t think there is a salesman alive who could accomplish that.  You and I cannot do anything to convince God to save us.  He has done it all, by offering his Son to die for us.  Jesus’ death was not a tragic accident.  It was God’s means of providing our salvation.  Jesus died as part of God’s great plan.  The Old Testament had looked forward to the Messiah coming to atone for sinners.  Humanity stood in need of a perfect sacrifice.  Jesus provided it.  Salvation is by grace.

When I was in high school, my dad came home one day, and said, “Do you want a job?”  "Yes!  Where?"  He told me that the owner of the Sohio station (Does anybody remember Sohio gas?) needed a kid to pump gas.  He had asked my dad if I might be interested in a job.  I could have taken credit for landing that job, but the truth is, I didn’t do anything to get the job!  It was simply offered to me by the big-hearted gas station owner.  All I had to do was say yes!  My dad could have taken credit for getting me that job, too.  But that wouldn’t have been right.  He was only the messenger.  The owner provided it.

So, it is with salvation.  The Owner provides it through the blood of his Son.  All we must do is say yes.  Even the “messengers” cannot take credit for it.  They are simply conveying the message.  God makes the offer.

Have you said "Yes" to this unbelievable offer?

Prayer: Lord, I am reminded of that old gospel song: " And it's all because of God's amazing grace! Because on Calvary's Mountain he took my place!" Thank you for that amazing grace.  Thank you for this unbelievable offer.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 76.8-12

From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still,

when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.

Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,

who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.