I put a lot of pressure on myself when I give gifts. I have in my mind that I want to give a thoughtful gift that is, in my mind, “perfect.” I may not always get it right 100% of the time, but I always choose gifts for others carefully. Giving gifts is a choice. We do not think about this as often, but receiving gifts is a choice, too. We must accept a gift we have been given, take it, and use it. This is true with every gift we have been given, including the gift of eternal life in Jesus. God chose to send Jesus to rescue us from sin and offer us eternal life, but we have to actually accept the gift He has given us. When we accept His gift, we do not have to fear when we think about the end times and the coming of Jesus.
Paul taught in 1 Timothy 2 that God “wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (verse 4). It is clear in this verse, and many other passages of Scripture, that God wants every person to come to faith in Him. That is why He sent Jesus to pay the price for not just some sins but all the sins of the world. However, we have to decide to commit our lives to Him. We are not robots, so God gives each of us a choice. God has given us the gift of Jesus, who paid the price for our sins. We, however, have to accept the gift. We have to choose to believe in Him and commit our lives to Him. That is what accepting His gift looks like.
God’s desire is for everyone to be saved, but He does not force us to follow Him; it is a choice. It is the very best choice that we can make. If you have yet to decide to follow Jesus, what are you waiting for? If not, who can you share your faith with today, who is far from Christ?
Take time now to reflect on how the decision to follow Jesus has impacted your life. First, write about this in your journal. Next, is there someone you know who is far from Christ? Then, invite them to church this weekend, so they can hear a message of the hope found in Jesus if they place their faith in Him.
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.
This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.
8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
9 And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 10 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.
11 Women should learn quietly and submissively. 12 I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. 13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty."
