August 14, 2013 (Wednesday)
The young man loved his sweetheart with all his heart. His work, however, was taking him far away from the love of his life. He begged her to marry him and come with him to his new home, but she refused his request. There were bitter words as he boarded the plane to his new place of employment many miles away. He was heart-broken. In hopes of restoring the relationship, he bought her a beautiful necklace, had it gift-wrapped and mailed to her. Each day he waited for her reply, hoping that the gift would soften her heart and change her mind. The postman never delivered that note of reconciliation, however. Instead, he brought back the gift, unopened. His gift to the girl had been refused.
God loved the world so much He sent His only Son to save it. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ has eternal life. It is the gift of God (Romans 6:23).
The sad truth is that many refuse the gift. They decide to say “No” to God and eternal life.
The young man in the story above held the gift in his hand. He had offered it but it had been refused. Hence, it was not a gift after all.
Years ago worship services sometimes closed with the singing of a chorus that went like this: “Oh, don’t go away without Jesus. Oh, don’t go away without Him. You know He is willing to save you, and cleanse from your heart every sin. Oh, yield to his offer of mercy, Oh, take of the love He imparts, And don’t go away without Jesus in your heart.”
Don’t say, “No” to the Lord. He loves you and wants you to have a better life and a home in Heaven. He wants to give you Eternal Life. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).