Ephesians 2 v 8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her, wanting to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. But she refused to sell him any.
Roosevelt was perplexed. His men needed the help and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for it!” A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face. Now he understood—the provisions were not for sale. All he had to do was simply ask and they would be given freely.
That’s how a sinner receives eternal life. Salvation is a gift. If it could be bought at an auction, millionaires would compete for the purchase and most people would be excluded. If it could be gained by working for it, the strong would push the weak out of the running. But God’s forgiveness is free for the asking. Nothing we can do will ever earn it.
Yesterday afternoon I was watching “Flipping It” on the television. It’s a programme where a Trader, an Upcycler and an Antiques Dealer compete to see who can make the most money with all profits going to charity. Yesterday the Upcycler got two items for free and then went on to strip them back and reupholster them. She turned two unwanted items of furniture, which were only fit for the skip, into two beautiful pieces.
When we ask for God’s freely given forgiveness we can become “beautiful in our faith” and tell others about God’s love for all.