Romans 5:18-21
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
A gift is not a gift until it is given and received.
My mom would shop early for Christmas and hide gifts in a place where no one could find it, including her. Sometimes she would tell me of a gift purchased for me that I would receive once she remembered where it was hidden. I have received gifts for my birthday in April that were supposed to be Christmas presents; at times it had the Christmas wrapping on my April birthday present.
A gift is not a gift until it is given and received.
In July 1999, Treva and I took our first cruise to celebrate 20 years of marriage. The table we were assigned to for our evening meal was a colorful group of folks. None really understood what we did for a living. In fact, one couple caught Treva and I, side by side, at a grand piano playing and singing love songs. I know it sounds pretty sappy. That night they commented we knew “real” music. One of our new acquaintances pulled me aside and told me he was going to give us a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne for our anniversary. I said that was very kind of him, but we did not drink alcohol. He got very upset at me and proclaimed now much this present was worth! (Note – he never offered me the cash.)
A gift is not a gift until it is given and received.
Romans 6:23 states “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
A gift is not a gift until it is given and received.
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
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