20 Jan February 6th Daily Devotion

 A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

GOD GIVES YOU SALVATION THROUGH JESUS

1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is no question that God hates sin.  From the time of the first sin when God because of its role in the temptation of Eve to eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree, condemned the serpent to crawl on its belly in the dust of the ground to today to His well-known words in Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin is death.”

Even though you sin daily, it is not God’s desire for you to experience the eternal death Romans 6:23 says you deserve.  The very next words of Romans 6:23 are, “ . . . but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 assure you that it is God’s desire to forgive you your sins through your Lord Jesus Christ, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Today’s devotional verse says, “God did not appoint (you) to receive His wrath but to receive salvation.”  St. Paul wrote about this gift of God to Titus and his words are of great comfort and assurance to you, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,  He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Your salvation, forgiveness of sins, eternal life in heaven is all based on God’s undeserved love for you and gift of faith to receive these gifts through His Son Jesus.  Know and be comforted by these words penned by Peter, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Prayer:  Thank You heavenly Father for giving me the gift of salvation through Your Son, my Savior, Christ Jesus.  Amen.

By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless;

My soul, believe and doubt it not.

Why stagger at this word of promise?

Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?

No! Then this word must true remain:

By grace you too will life obtain.

By grace! None dare lay claim to merit;

Our works and conduct have no worth.

God in His love sent our Redeemer,

Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth;

His death did for our sins atone,

And we are saved by grace alone.

By grace God’s Son, our only Savior,

Came down to earth to bear our sin.

Was it because of your own merit

That Jesus died your soul to win?

No, it was grace, and grace alone,

That brought Him from His heav’nly throne.

By grace! This ground of faith is certain;

As long as God is true, it stands.

What saints have penned by inspiration,

What in His Word our God commands,

Our faith in what our God has done

Depends on grace— grace through His Son.

By grace to timid hearts that tremble,

In tribulation’s furnace tried,

By grace, in spite of fear and trouble,

The Father’s heart is open wise.

Where could I help and strength secure

If grace were not my anchor sure?

By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying;

In Jesus’ promise I rejoice;

For though I know my heart’s condition,

I also know my Savior’s voice.

My heart is glad, all grief has flown

Since I am saved by grace alone.

(LSB 566)