For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

My father used to say, "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

While I believe that may be true, there is a man in Detroit who disagrees with my dad. He disagrees big time.

This man was so upset with not getting a free lunch that he barged into the Michigan Department of Social Services, used a shotgun to blast holes in the ceiling, and then set fire to the offices.

Why would he do such a thing? That's simple. The man was upset because the welfare department refused to give him enough money to pay for his housekeeper.

Now that's a man who believes in getting a free lunch.

In contrast to this man, most of us believe if we're going to get something in this life, we're going to have to work for it -- and work hard.

That's probably true in most situations, but it's not true in one -- very special -- area. The only way we can receive God's forgiveness, which grants salvation, is by a free lunch.

That's right. We can't earn it. We can't work for it. We can't do anything to deserve it.

Only through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice can we be reconciled to the Lord.

This is good news -- the best news for all of us. By Jesus' life, death, and resurrection we are given the one thing we need most of all: we have been given eternal life.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Gracious Father, how blessed we are to be given Your free gift of love. Thank You for setting me free by sending Your Son as the sacrifice that saves me. May I, in all I do, show my appreciation for what He has done. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 51, 30    Hebrews 7

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