God offers grace to us

Grace. God has offered grace to each one of us. But God offering us grace doesnʼt complete the salvation process. Itʼs completed in us when we actually receive the gift of grace, the promise of eternal life in heaven. Heaven is a gift that must be received. And this gift was offered to the world in the form of Jesus, who came not to condemn us- but to save us. Thatʼs the good news! Eternal life is a gift, but it must be received.

Perhaps this story will help. Two baseball teams were deadlocked in a championship game. It was the bottom of the ninth inning, two outs. The batter hit a shot that ricocheted off the center-field wall. He sped around first base, second, and third- then he raced for home plate. With the crowd screaming and the relay throw coming, he slid across home plate just before the catcher could make the tag. The crowd went nuts, and the batterʼs team sprinted onto the field to celebrate. But, to everyoneʼs shock, the umpire shouted, “Youʼre out!” Pandemonium ensued. The crowd began booing. The manager went berserk. When the umpire finally got a word in edgewise, he announced, “Heʼs not out because he got tagged at home. Heʼs out because he missed first base!”

I can attend church, serve on dozens of committees, own the biggest Bible on the block, and memorize the Ten Commandments- but establishing a relationship with God is like touching first base. Without a relationship with Christ, someday I will be called out at home. This isnʼt about religion, itʼs about relationship. God wants you to know his Son, Jesus Christ. Thatʼs first base. Receiving Godʼs grace. Why not accept his grace, receive his invitation into heaven right now? Just pray these words from your heart:

Dear God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Jesus, I believe that you are who you said you are and that you proved it by rising from the dead. I want to get to know you personally. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me and forgiving all my sins. Please forgive me for all my sins and come into my life. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Holy Spirit, change me into the new creation you want me to be. Thank you for your free gift of eternal life. Amen.