A True Gift

Scripture – 1 Peter 1:3-5: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Observation – Sometimes I stop and let myself appreciate what God has done for me in Christ. I would be well served to do that more often. “He has given us….” What we have in Christ – “a new birth….a living hope….an inheritance…,” He has given us. It’s a true gift for me to accept or reject. It’s nothing I need to pay back. For true gifts have no strings or conditions. Our human nature wants to put some in. But the fact is, we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” because God, in Christ has given it to us. It’s really that simple.

Application – I will take some time today to sit quietly and meditate on what God has given me in Christ. He has affected my entire life. I will thank Him for that.

Prayer – Lord, thank you for the new birth – the new beginning – you’ve given me. Thank you for the unshakable hope I have and the inheritance that is secure. Thank you for your mercy and power in my life.