A Gift Given, Not Earned

February 17, 2016

Opening Hymns:
368 My Hope is Built http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh368.sht

Scripture Reading:
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
4:1 What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh?

4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

4:3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."

4:4 Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due.

4:5 But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

4:13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.

4:14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.

4:15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

4:16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us,

4:17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations") -- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Message:
     As humans we love independence. We like to feel self-sufficient and accomplished. Even as young children we strive to do things on our own. However, sometimes we can’t do everything, and needing someone else’s help can be hard to admit. 

     I remember when I had just graduated from high school I went to work at my grandparent’s chiropractic clinic. It was my first real job, and I was excited to take the next step to independence before I started college. While there my mom had offered to give me some money to buy new clothing for college. I joked to my aunt that I had kind of earned it because I saved her so much money by packing lunches instead of making her pay for the more expensive food lunches… I was kind of joking, but at the same time I was telling myself that I had earned the gift. After all, hadn’t she spent more money on my brothers who had school lunches?

     Later on I realized that I hadn’t seen all the gifts she had really given me throughout my life. She had provided everything for me even through high school. I could have gotten a job at that point to pay for my clothing, eating out, and extracurricular activities. The college clothing she bought for me was indeed a gift.

     As Christians we can sometimes try to earn God’s forgiveness. We might feel that our good deeds have helped wash away our bad deeds. It makes us feel better if we think that we are self-sufficient, and can earn our own redemption. However, it is only through faith, and God’s grace and forgiveness that we are saved. It is God’s gift to give, and no amount of good deeds can pay Him back for it.     

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You so much for Your selfless gift of love. Help us remember that You have given us new life, and through You we have been made clean once more. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
362 Lamb of God http://breadsite.org/lyrics/362.htm

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God