“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Business owners know that one of the quickest ways to get a shopper’s attention is to use the word free in their advertising. We all like getting something for nothing! Yet many of us ignore the very best free offering: God’s gift of eternal life. When we were lost in our addiction, we were surely lost in sin. Now that we are in recovery, are we open to receiving God’s most precious gift?
What do we need to do receive God’s free gift? We must have faith that God’s son came to redeem us.”For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) We confess our sins, for we have all fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) It is by our belief that we are saved: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Now that we are clean and sober and can think clearly, we can make the decision to accept Christ as our Lord and savior. We can ask God for forgiveness for our sins. We can make amends to the people we have harmed. We have a second chance to make our lives worth living. We are now able to experience the joy and peace that God graces us with. That peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ. (Philippians 4:7) With that peace, there is no reason at all for us to relapse into our addictions. We can stay clean and sober and face whatever life has in store for us, because we are fully reliant on God.
F.R.O.G. Practice: Today, give thanks for the free gift God wants to give you. Believe that His son came to redeem you from sin. Confess your sins and allow God to wash you clean. Feel the peace that guards your hearts and minds as you live in Christ. You are now an eternal being!
