Exodus 31, John 12, Ephesians 2
There are many things we take pride in. We are proud of our families, our children, and our grandchildren. We take pride in the things we create… arts, writings, crafts, music and song, and culinary delights. We take pride in the athletic talents we develop. We take pride in the adventures we go on, from wilderness hikes to vacations over seas. We also take pride in our accomplishments… our careers and financial legacies that we leave for our children. I am going to stop there because you get the picture. There are lots of things we can take pride in.
One thing we cannot take pride in is our right standing with God. We had no part in that outside of receiving it. We can no more brag about that than we can brag that we had something to do with someone else picking, purchasing, and giving us a Christmas gift. We received our salvation as a gift from God and we owned what Jesus did for us. We claimed it and embraced this gift of grace.
In chapter 2 of Ephesians the Apostle Paul says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians2:8–10NIV. When we didn’t even know we wanted or needed this gift of grace, God did this thing for us in Jesus Christ.
This Christmas, as you are giving and receiving gifts, remember the greatest gift of all… the gift of God’s redeeming grace offered to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the many things I take pride in. Thank you most of all for my salvation that is a gift of grace. Lord let me live a life of praise always boasting of the greatness of your grace! Amen.
Thinking About and Being a Child of God 