God's Gift of Eternal Life

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:23

Have you ever given someone a gift and they did not seem to appreciate it?  If so, it probably upset you a bit.  The reason it may have upset you is because not only did you spend time to pick out the perfect gift, but you also had to spend money to get it for them.  When they are not grateful for it, it seems like a slap in the face given all of the time and money you put into getting it for them.  Well, God has given us the wonderful gift of eternal life and righteousness.  We will discuss righteousness more tomorrow.  The gift of eternal life not only includes spending eternity with God in heaven, but also having a personal relationship with God here on earth.  John 17:3 states that “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”  All too often though, we reject this gift of eternal life (or having a personal relationship with Christ) that God has paid the ultimate price to give us.  Sometimes after our salvation experience, we are satisfied with the fact that we will go to heaven.  Often, we do not take advantage of cultivating that intimate daily relationship with God that Christ died to give us (purchased for us).  God wants us to be in constant communication and communion with Him throughout the day and seek His leading and guiding every second of every day.  Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not unto our own understanding but in all our ways to acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths.  What father or parent would go a day without speaking to their child that lived in their home?  Well after salvation, God lives in us (Colossians 1:27) and wants to enjoy fellowship with us.  That is what He created us for.  In the Old Testament before Christ, God’s people did not have access to this type of relationship due to spiritual separation from Him as a result of Adam’s sin.  They did not have the benefit of being able to come before God and communicate with Him throughout the day.  For that matter, that could not come before God at all.  The priest could only come before God on the Day of Atonement for the sins of God’s people (Numbers 15:25).  Even then, his atonement for the people was only good for one year and the sacrifices of bulls and goats could only cover the sins of the people and not take them away.  Praise God once we accept Jesus though, His sacrifice totally eradicates sin in our lives (Revelations 1:5) and we are able to come before God and cultivate a personal relationship with Him!  Let us not take for granted the gift of eternal life in which God has invested so much for us to receive.  Receive the gift of eternal life and enjoy a deep, personal, and satisfying relationship with our Lord today!