SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1174

“Expiration Date”

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ – Titus 2:11-13

This present age is an age of grace. It was ushered in with the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. – John 1:17

God’s love is eternal but this age of saving grace will expire.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. – Psalm 136:1

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. – 2 Peter 3:8-10

There is a ‘BEST BEFORE’ date on all of God’s creation, including every one of us in this body of flesh. This expiration date is known only to God.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. – Psalm 139:16 – Matthew 25:13

For too many people, God’s saving grace is like an unwrapped Christmas gift left under the tree.  We leave it there to be accepted and opened at a ‘later date.’ We are too busy with love for this world and its concerns and are not seeking first His kingdom.

We act as if God’s gift won’t expire and that we will have all the time we need to accept it later.  But the opposite is true. The day of the Lord, the end of the world, will come like a thief in the night when it is least expected. Our own death could come upon us suddenly while God’s gift of grace, salvation, and eternal life remains unopened.

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – Romans 2:4 – John 3:16

Jesus came so that we might have eternal, abundant life. Do not push the Giver away any longer.  Allow His grace to lead you to repentance and accept His free gift of saving grace to you. It is a limited time offer.

Merry Christmas!