“IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD!”

 

Ephesians 2:8-10                 (ESV)

“[8] For BY GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH. And this is not your own doing; “IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD”, [9] NOT a result of works, so that NO ONE may boast. [10] For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, that WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”

The Sunday School lesson from last week carried the last few verses of John 4. Those WORDS state “The father (of the sick child) knew that was the hour when JESUS had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he (the esteemed father) himself BELIEVED, and all his household. [54] This was now the second sign that JESUS did when HE had come from Judea to Galilee.” 

PLEASE NOTE that JESUS didn’t have a GO SEE the child that was “…was at the point of death” (John 4:47).  HE healed the youngster because of the FAITH displayed by the father of the sick child!  JESUS performed the miracle WITHOUT even seeing the child!  HE did so because HE saw THE FAITH of the dad!!!  JESUS KNEW precisely what the child needed and HE delivered the cure SUPERNATURALLY!!!

Saving FAITH is NOT something to GLORY about, nor claim that humanity demonstrates any assistance!!  “IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD”, NOT a result of works, so that NO ONE can boast about it!  GOD CHOSE us BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (Ephesians 1:4), but we are not FOUND until HIS TIMING is revealed to us!  The Apostle Paul was “on his way” to persecute BELIEVERS in Damascus when THE LORD “found” him!  Literally, it took only a few days and he was preaching about JESUS!!!

Like Saul (later known as the Apostle Paul),,GOD did not need to strike me down to “draw” me unto HIMSELF!  My “journey” has been quite an interesting experience though!  I am SO GLAD that GOD HAS A PLAN for my life that I have every intention of fulfilling, but ONLY BY HIS GRACE!!!  “IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD” that HE uses the “worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) to GLORIFY HIS NAME!!!