“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” [Ephesians 1:4-7 NIV]
Can’t quite move past that word freely and on to another subject. So much of what comes as “offers” to me come with a cost. My inbox is filled with all kinds of things companies think I need. They cloak their “offers” in language which sounds like it is a great deal but when you actually visit their websites you find very little, if anything, freely given.
And yet, the greatest things I need, a new heart and peace with God, are freely given to me – the price has already been paid by God Himself.
Look at some of the words and phrases in the verses above. Think on them today. “He chose us …. In love he predestined us to be adopted …. His pleasure …. His glorious grace.” All those “He has freely given us.”
God chose us, loves us, and adopted us—freely through Jesus Christ. My heart soars no matter how many times I think or write about those things. I know who and what I am without God. I know who and what I am with God simply because of His freely given grace. I refuse to ever allow myself to become complacent about that.
Father, let me never forget, nor take for granted, all You have done for me—freely—through Christ Jesus my Lord! Amen.
