For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God . . . Ephesians 2:8 (NASB)
My oldest nephew was a very inquisitive three year old. His curiosity often got him into trouble. One year he was especially “busy” during all the preparations and excitement of Christmas. Trying desperately to keep his behavior in check my sister reminded him frequently that Santa wouldn’t bring him gifts if he didn’t behave.
Finally, exasperated at another warning, he threw his little hands up in the air and exclaimed, “I don’t care if Santa doesn’t come. I just wanna be bad!” He said “bad” with such enthusiasm, shaking his hands overhead, no doubt was left in our minds that he meant it. Being bad was easier and more fun than being good—even when a reward was at stake.
We laughed at his adorable display of honesty. However, his words caused me to reflect on how easy it is to fall into temptation, which can lead to sin if our human nature is not yielded to the Holy Spirit.
Often we have to work at being good. Sometimes it’s less arduous to “just be bad.” Then, those sneaky sins come to mind, the ones we don’t deliberately commit, but are counted as sin all the same. Soon, our reward of Heaven appears distant and far away. It looks impossible to be good enough to keep God’s favor. The glowing gift grows dim, but thankfully, just before it disappears from our sight completely we remember the truth of God’s grace. Our salvation is a gift from God. We can’t earn it—only accept it.
Thank you, Jesus for taking care of our sin once and for all. Amen.
2012 Bonnie Mae Evans
My oldest nephew was a very inquisitive three year old. His curiosity often got him into trouble. One year he was especially “busy” during all the preparations and excitement of Christmas. Trying desperately to keep his behavior in check my sister reminded him frequently that Santa wouldn’t bring him gifts if he didn’t behave.
Finally, exasperated at another warning, he threw his little hands up in the air and exclaimed, “I don’t care if Santa doesn’t come. I just wanna be bad!” He said “bad” with such enthusiasm, shaking his hands overhead, no doubt was left in our minds that he meant it. Being bad was easier and more fun than being good—even when a reward was at stake.
We laughed at his adorable display of honesty. However, his words caused me to reflect on how easy it is to fall into temptation, which can lead to sin if our human nature is not yielded to the Holy Spirit.
Often we have to work at being good. Sometimes it’s less arduous to “just be bad.” Then, those sneaky sins come to mind, the ones we don’t deliberately commit, but are counted as sin all the same. Soon, our reward of Heaven appears distant and far away. It looks impossible to be good enough to keep God’s favor. The glowing gift grows dim, but thankfully, just before it disappears from our sight completely we remember the truth of God’s grace. Our salvation is a gift from God. We can’t earn it—only accept it.
Thank you, Jesus for taking care of our sin once and for all. Amen.
2012 Bonnie Mae Evans
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