Paul was a boaster. He boasted, of course, only in the cross of Christ and what it means. There is no boasting on a personal level regarding our salvation.
As difficult as it is for some of us, including myself, to divest ourselves of the notion that we can somehow put God in our debt by being good enough, the fact remains that the hope we have as we approach eternity and immortality can only be found in the finished work of Christ the Savior that day long ago on Calvary’s hill.
Some ad man came up with the “Got Milk” promotion a few years back. It has been good for the dairy industry. We often see in magazines and on television people of renown with the telltale hint on their upper lips of that white bovine nectar. Unless we are lactose intolerant, most of us enjoy a cool glass of milk now and then, or at least some milk in a bowl with our favorite cereal. Maybe someone has already thought of it, but I would like to see an ad in various media asking everyone if they have grace.
Grace is one of the most beautiful words in English. It hints of undeserved mercy. That in itself is a sublime thought. Unmerit-ed favor from the One who grants the greatest favors imaginable. GRACE! God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Have we got it? Have we availed ourselves of this marvelous gift offered to us freely so we may believe and accept it as given? There is nothing more valuable in this life. It humbles us. We can’t attend enough assemblies, confess Christ often enough, nor can we do so many good deeds for others that we put God in our debt.
“For God so loved the world that he gave…” Peter tells believers to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for:
1) Remission of sins [salvation],
2) The gift of the Holy Spirit,
3) The privilege of being added to the family of God. Who in his right mind could refuse such an opportunity?
Hallelujah, what a Savior!