Long before I was lovingly
anticipated or lovingly welcomed into the world, and long before I
had ever disappointed, hurt or angered anyone, the gift was already
ready.
And long before I had a
name, my name was already on it.
It was my salvation,
prepared long before I entered the world. My salvation came with
redemption, justification and sanctification.
Salvation meant I would be
freed from ties to sin; I would not be sin's servant. Redemption
meant sin would not own me because of my debts, my transgressions,
because those were now paid off and forgiven. The wages of sin –
death – would be replaced by an inheritance, as a new child of God.
And my value, set by God treasuring me, could not be reduced.
Justification meant that
long before God's enduring law had defined what I lacked, God was
ready to share his holiness with me. Sanctification meant that
sharing God's holiness would immediately and ultimately redefine me.
All these riches, gifted
to me in Jesus' name, were prepared long before I ever existed. Long
before I knew my need, and long before I was ready to receive them.
All these riches are
labeled by multisyllabic words. They only begin to define God in the
human mind. When all is said and done, we must know for ourselves
that God is love. And that He loves passionately and compassionately
– long before we ever choose to love Him.
If you have yet to receive
them, receive them today. By faith, turn from sin and all its
shortages to receive your God, the giver of every good and perfect
gift.
If you received these
gifts long ago, invest them today. Recall that they were never meant
to nestle back in tissue paper, and that the lid will not set back in
place. Because these gifts were never meant for storage out of sight,
out of mind.
Our actions and words will
reflect God's ways, while presenting a reminder that God's ways are
not our own – or they will be unproductive, bearing little fruit.
We can choose day by day to invest and be further enriched by our
gifts, or let distraction and discouragement stash them aside.
You are part of your
Father's business. You – and those you either pass or do business
with – are your Father's business. When you were
commissioned to the work of sharing Jesus and His gospel with the
world, you became His empowered hands and feet in the world. With
each day, your face continues to take on resemblance to Him, and so
you represent Him where you go.
Receive God's immeasurable
gifts. Invest them to His glory.
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