WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU HAVE EVER BEEN OFFERED?

SCRIPTURE:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It 
teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live 
self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait 
for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and 
Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all 
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, 
eager to do what is good. 
(Titus 2:11-14) 

MEDITATION:
Salvation gives us an example of the magnitude of God’s grace.
We don’t have to do anything to earn it, it is a gift from God.
Our responsibility is to receive His gift of grace.
Some may ask, “How can I know if I have received His gift of salvation?”

In his letter to Titus, Paul gives us some checkpoints.
When we receive God’s salvation, 
we learn to start saying “No” to ‘ungodliness’ and ‘worldly passions’.
Things that used to easily attract us and draw us into their webs, 
become a cause for alarm and things to be avoided.
If we are still attracted to ‘ungodliness’ and ‘worldly passions’ 
with no feelings of guilt, then the odds are high 
that we have not received His salvation.

Another indicator that we have received God’s salvation 
is our level of ‘self-control’.
Without ‘self-control’, we will continue pursuing self-gratification 
instead of redirecting our attention to living ‘upright and godly lives’.
Keep in mind, some of the things that we do may not be ungodly as long as
they do not interfere with our fellowship and worship of the Lord.

However, the word “ungodly” points to anything that steals our time 
with the Lord and prevents us from following His guidelines for living.
Whenever we have proper self-control, instead of doing (and making excuses 
for) the things that are either disapproved by the Lord, or stand between 
us and our communion with Him, we will choose to make efforts to avoid them.

If we are ‘eager to do what is good’, 
there is a strong possibility that we have received His salvation.
Jesus sacrificed Himself to redeem us from wickedness 
and the desire for sinfulness.
If we still have a craving for sinful things with no feelings of guilt, 
then we may question our receipt of God’s gift of grace.

Jesus also died in order to ‘purify’ those who belong to Him.
His death meant that those who have truly given their lives to Him, 
would no longer appear before our Heavenly Father as blemished 
and damaged goods, because Jesus purified us on the cross.

The last indicator of receiving God’s salvation 
is our feelings regarding the return of Jesus Christ.
If we are looking forward to His return with joy, 
the possibility of receiving His salvation is favorable.
He is the ‘blessed hope’ of all who belong to Him.
However, if we are fearful of His return, then how could we have received 
the salvation that would cause us to look forward to His return 
with joy and confidence?

One of the best ways to get rid of discouragement 
and overcome depression is to remember that Christ is coming again. 
The most thrilling, glorious truth in all the world 
is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 
When we look around and see pessimism on every side, 
we should remember the Bible is The Book 
that accurately predicts the future. 

The Bible is more modern than tomorrow morning’s newspaper.
It is filled with information for living 
in the midst of problems in today’s world. 
It also accurately foretells the future, and it says that the consummation 
of all things will be the coming again of Jesus Christ to this earth.

ACTION: 
If your life is dismal, depressed, and gloomy today, 
the Lord can turn those dark clouds inside out. 
The sunlight of His love can still shine into the darkest part of your life.

If you have not received God’s salvation, 
wouldn’t it be a good time to do it now?
If you “think” you have received His salvation, 
review the indicators listed earlier and use them to 
either give you confidence that you “have” received His salvation, 
or to convict you that you need to receive it.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gracious gift of salvation. Thank 
You also for Your Word that is like a winnowing sword that provides us 
with information for determining our status with You and Your gift of 
salvation. I ask for You to encourage me in my efforts to create a close 
fellowship with You, so that I can find peace and joy, as I anxiously 
anticipate and look forward to the return of Your Son, Jesus Christ.”