Nougat 23

Recently I’ve been looking around and thinking about the need to remind us that salvation is a gift. And of course, to urge us to accept it while we still have the chance. Today’s Holy Nougat expands this some more.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NLT):

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Gifted for Life

Some of us may remember that childhood chorus,

There is no satisfaction without salvation S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N! (x2)

Shout it out, loud and clear

S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N!

Shout it out, loud and clear

S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N!

And you can’t get to Heaven without salvation S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N! (x2)

Shout it out, loud and clear

S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N!

Shout it out, loud and clear

S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N!

It definitely is one of those that remains with me. The simple words underscore the message of our Nougat. For salvation, that is – our opportunity to access eternity with God instead of eternal damnation – comes through Jesus Christ. We can’t will ourselves saved. That’s not one of our options.

We never earned it by our good behaviour, for that’s not our job. We don’t deserve it, for we’re all sinners. We can’t gift it to someone else, but we can point them to it. Because it’s one of those that we have to choose for ourselves. And yes, I do know that some parents ‘choose’ for their children by way of infant baptism.

The thing is, there comes a point when we have to know what we believe and why we believe what we believe about Jesus. In that moment, we will either take that gift of eternal life with Jesus in faith, or we can reject it. Jesus reminds us that He stands at our heart’s door knocking (see Revelation 3:20), hoping that we will allow Him and God’s Spirit access. When we do, we are gifted with our ‘visa’ for eternity with God.

Forgive me if I’m jumping to conclusions, but I don’t assume that everyone of you who reads this already has the gift of salvation. If you do, then consider this as a reminder of the gift we chose. But if not, please think about what the blockage is that seems to prevent you from receiving this gift. This gift is about Jesus, YHWH and God’s Spirit – it is not about the poor attitudes of us believers or us pastors.

So if you think your decision is dependent on anything except for accepting the gift (thus allowing Jesus authority over our lifestyles) from Jesus, let go of that notion and receive the gift. And that part is easy:

Dear Jesus, I recognize that I’m scheduled to eternity without Jesus if I don’t chose to accept this gift. I believe that You are the Christ, Who came to offer me abundant life. I accept Your leadership over my life, and confess you as my Savior. Thank You for Your gift of salvation, I receive it.

If this is your first confession of faith, please find a local place of worship to strengthen your walk.

God bless you.

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May all we seek be found in Christ