Romans 5:8 (NLT) 8 But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
As we reach the final day of our 21 days of prayer and fasting, we want to express our gratitude for the incredible gift of salvation. Today's scripture reminds us of the nature of God's love. It is a love that doesn't wait for us to become perfect or to rectify our ways. Instead, it is a love that reaches out to us in our most broken state. This verse captures the heart of the Gospel: Christ's sacrificial death was not for the righteous but for sinners.
Salvation comes from God rather than being a reward for good deeds. It's a gift born out of His deep compassion and mercy. This means that we cannot earn our way into God's favour. Understanding this can bring both humility and immense gratitude. Recognising our unworthiness and God's boundless grace can be humbling and uplifting.
The transformation journey from grace to glory starts with recognising our sinful nature and embracing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. This acceptance is the foundation of our faith, which initiates a new chapter in our lives. Through Christ, we are not merely forgiven; we are reborn. Our past selves, corrupted by sin, are replaced with new beings that reflect the beauty and holiness of God.
A PRAYER OF GRATITUDE:
Heavenly Father, I come to You with a heart full of gratitude for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I am humbled by Your grace, which has given me forgiveness and eternal life. Your love has transformed my life, giving me peace, hope, and joy.
I ask for the courage and opportunity to share this love with others who need to hear it. Please use me as an instrument of Your grace to reach those who don't know You.
Thank You for making me a new creation in Christ and for the journey ahead with You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
CLOSING THOUGHT:
As we end our 21 days of prayer and fasting, it's important to remember the deep confidence and hope we gain from our understanding of God's love and the gift of salvation. This is not the end of our journey; it's a continuous process of learning, reflecting, and living our faith. To further enhance this journey, let's meditate on a selection of scriptures highlighting different aspects of our salvation and new life in Christ.
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES FOR REFLECTION:
1 John 4:10 (NLT) 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
John 3:16 (NLT) 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 8:1 (NLT) 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
As we come to the end of our 21 days of prayer and fasting, let us remember that salvation is more than just making a decision. It is a journey of becoming more like Christ. Let us use the verses we have meditated on during this time to stay focused on God's truth.
And as we conclude this season of seeking God, let us not forget the importance of gratitude. Let us be thankful for all that God has done in our lives and for the blessings that are yet to come. May we continue to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Him in the days ahead.