Weekly Bulletins
Salvation Is A Gift
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). The following comments regarding salvation being “the gift of God” were made by Colly Caldwell:
“A gift requires a giver and a willing receiver. God took the first step, asking us to receive his gift. He then allowed us to accept or refuse it. The Lord Jesus said, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned’ (Mk. 16:16). Man cannot glory in taking a gift. It is not of himself even though it is conditional.
If a father offered to give his son a new automobile on condition that he believes him, agree not to drive it in a reckless manner, and walk several blocks over to the dealership to receive the car, the son could not justifiably question that the car was a free gift. Neither should we challenge that God has given salvation as a free gift because he requires that we repent and submit to the conditions faith requires from us” (Truth Commentaries).
God is the giver and we should look for willing receivers. If you have not become a beneficiary of God’s grace, will you receive his gift of salvation by demonstrating your trust in him through repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38)?
Mike Pittman
