I'm so blessed these days to be able to Pastor such a great church. Having just come home from Africa the church realized that we didn't have anything to put into a house. Literally all we had was our clothes and a few other items. So, our great church held a house warming party for us. Katina and I were overwhelmed at the generosity of the people of Highpointe.
One thing in particular that I loved receiving was the Home Depot gift cards. Aren't gift cards great? They cost you nothing, but provide you a great benefit! Especially when you're running low on cash. They can be redeemed to buy just about anything!
Gods grace is similar. In Ephesians 1:7 it say's "In Him we have redemption through is blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace..." That word "Redemption" in the original Greek is 'apolutrosis' which means "A deliverance with a price."
I was able to take advantage of the gift cards and they cost me nothing but, it doesn't mean they were free. They did cost someone...something. The grace that God extends our way is free for us. However it did cost something. Maybe not for you and I, but for God most assuredly. It cost Him the life of His son Jesus.
Jesus came to buy us back from sin and death. When Jesus died on the cross, He was in essence purchasing our "Free" gift card of grace. Upon hearing the message of Christ forgiveness for the first time, you are presented with that gift card for you to redeem. Its completely up to you as to when and how you redeem it.
I could leave all these Home Depot cards here on the corner of my desk if I want, but how would that benefit me? Just having the ability to use the cards doesn't actually get my yard mowed (I plan to use some for a lawn mower) or get me a privacy fence or flowers for the yard. No, I must redeem them for them to benefit me.
What will you do with your "Grace Gift Card" today? Will you stick it into a pocket in your mind to use at some later date or will you redeem it today?
Most gift cards have an expiration. Even though it cost someone to purchase it. Believe this or not, God's grace has an expiration date (according to our salvation that is, God being 'gracious' will never change). That free gift of grace where you can redeem it for your salvation and have your sins removed........expires when Jesus returns or when you pass from this life. 2 things are certain in this life: Jesus will return and everyone has an end of their life.
Will you redeem before the expiration?
