The Gift that Keeps Giving

Have you ever received a gift that was carefully chosen for you and was exactly what you wanted at the time? Extremely excited upon opening the gift, you just can't wait to use it and see all the features that it contains. For me, a multi-purpose kitchen appliance could very easily fit the bill. I remember when my husband bought me a countertop convection-style oven. The oven was round with the heating element on the bottom and you could stack different items from your meal atop this element and cover with a glass dome. It worked very well and you could cook your whole meal at one time.
Upon first opening this gift, we could hardly wait to use it. We read the manual and begin selecting meals in which we could make the meat, vegetables and starch all at the same time. This newness wore off very quickly. Because the unit was so heavy, taking it from the cabinet and placing it on the limited counter space in our kitchen was a very cumbersome challenge. Soon we used it less and less, and eventually it was sold in a garage sale with other unused items.
Another item has been given to me and received with the same great excitement. This was my high-speed combination food processor, blender and mini blender. We began using this gift immediately and barely a day goes by that is not used in one way or another. From mixing protein shakes and smoothies to making almond or peanut butter and many other items for both baking and cooking, this unit is a mainstay in our kitchen. I would find cooking far more difficult without it.

The heavenly Father has provided the gift of salvation to all of us. “For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 AMP) How do we treat the great gift of salvation that God has given us through Jesus Christ? Are we like the rocky soil that Jesus spoke about in the parable sower? “As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.” (Matthew 13:20-21 AMP)

So often we treat our salvation as an event that occurred in our past. We can recount the day that we turned our lives over to the control of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Many of us can tell you the date, where we were, if anyone was with us and possibly even the words we use when we prayed the prayer of surrender. And if asked about our salvation, we revert to relating this event.
Scripture is extremely clear that this is not God's intention. Salvation was never to be a point-in-time event. Our Heavenly Father has given us a gift that is to remain with us and be the ongoing foundation of our life. The Apostle Paul made this extremely clear in his writing to the Corinthian Church. “Laboring together [as God's fellow workers] with Him then, we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain [that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them—do not receive it to no purpose]. For He says, In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2 AMP) Another translation states verse 1 this way. “As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.” (2 Corinthians 6:1 NLT)
Although the initial point of salvation is an extremely important time in our lives, it is only the beginning. Every day is a day to experience the power and presence of God in our lives. True salvation is an ongoing, growing process. We walk in this daily. “Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” (Philippians 2:12-13 AMP)

Unlike the rocky soil mentioned in the parable Jesus told, there is a good soil. “As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:23 AMP) This is the heart of a believer who remembers and acknowledges God daily in his/her life. This person will continually grow and experience all that the gracious gift of salvation brings.

God has provided so much through Jesus Christ. Don’t look at new life as a point in your past! Daily seek to grow in this great salvation provided as a gift to be cherished. Never ignore it, but thrive in it.