"It's a gift"

Image by Loci Lenar via Flickr

“It’s a gift so just say thank you” By Diane Webb

1 Thessalonians 5: 9, 10—“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”

These are encouraging words from Paul to the church at Thessalonica.  God did not save us just to be angry with us and his desire is for us all to be with him forever.  Many people paint a picture of God that leads us to think he is poised above to rain down fire and brimstone on those who miss Sunday school.  These individuals seem to thrive on enforcing rules and regulations just like the Pharisees and Sanhedrin of Paul’s day.  Unattainable standards lead to discouragement.  People end up feeling hopeless and adopt the attitude of “I can’t possibly meet these standards so I may as well not even try”.  There are people who have been taught growing up that if you aren’t attending a particular denomination and living up to the rules set forth by them then you are not saved and are not going to heaven.  Therefore, when someone falls short (which we all do) they simply drop out of church feeling there is no chance for them.  They do not consider attending another church or denomination because, since childhood, they have been taught to believe the other churches are wrong and, therefore, do not count in the kingdom of God.  Paul seems to be addressing this same problem with the Thessalonians.  He is reassuring the good people of Thessalonica that it is not God’s intention to condemn people through regulations but rather to save people through Jesus Christ.  Perhaps the church of Thessalonica was falling back into old religious practices common in that day.  Maybe the Thessalonians forgot that Jesus himself replaced the laws of Moses (which had become perverted).  Paul had to remind the Thessalonians of the gift of Jesus Christ and what it means to them.  In reality, it is impossible to be perfect in the sight of God.  None of us are capable of living up to the standards of God.  That is precisely why God sent Jesus to die for our sins.  Jesus took the cost on himself because God wants us to be with him forever and we cannot, by our works, do so.  It is only by grace that we can be acceptable to God.  No amount of work, law, prayer, reading the Bible, helping the poor, wearing our hair or clothes a certain way, eating a certain way, or living a certain way is enough.  Jesus became the way—the only way to be with God forever as is God’s desire.  This should come as a blessed relief.  All we have to do is accept the gift that has been given to us.  The rest is simply enjoying our relationship with God.  There is a bumper sticker that says, “It’s not a religion it’s a relationship”.  This describes Christianity as intended by God.  Paul puts it very simply when he says--God did not save us to condemn us, he saved us to be with him—alive or dead—he wants us with him.  God wants us with him forever.  Be encouraged by the good news shared by Paul.  Share this good news with others.  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:  23).  It does not say “some” or “most” or “many”—it says all.  We all have sinned.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  That is why Jesus came to our world because he is the only one who met God’s standard because he was and is God himself.  It is such a beautiful thing to know that we do not have to do anything at all.  There is a nicely wrapped package sitting on the table with your name on it (gold with a silver ribbon).  It is waiting for you to open it, accept it, and simply say “thank you”.

Dear heavenly father, thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ.  I humbly accept this gift of salvation.  Help me understand the concept of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Help me encourage others in the simple, loving message of Christianity.  I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, my savior, Amen.