Meditation

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

By grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.—Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

The pink clutch with plastic embossed flowers was one of the prettiest things my eight-year-old eyes had ever seen. The salesclerk told me it cost one dollar, so I decided to work until I could buy it.

I did jobs at home and for neighbors until I finally had enough money. At the checkout counter, the clerk said, “That will be $1.10.” I asked her why it cost an extra 10 cents, and she explained that it was tax. I didn’t have enough money.

As I turned around to put the purse back, a man standing behind me placed change on the counter. “I’ll pay the 10 cents for her,” he said. I looked up and thanked him for this gift. I cherished that purse for years, and every time I think of it, I also think of the man who paid the tax for me.

Much like I worked to earn money for the purse, we often try to do everything God asks in an effort to obtain salvation for ourselves. But it takes the gift of God’s grace and forgiveness for us to receive salvation. Our works will always come up short, but Jesus paid the full price for us and our salvation.

Prayer: Dear God, help us realize that there is nothing we can do to buy or earn salvation. Thank you for making it available to us as a gift. Amen.

Thought for the day: Jesus paid the full price for me.

Marsha Howard, Texas