Bible Verse to Explore: 2 Timothy 1:9
The devotional article leading into today’s Inductive Bible Study is a bit different. It is a story I wrote, years ago, for a children’s devotional magazine. Even though I had children
in mind when I first wrote this piece, we can all learn from it. Therefore, I hope you will indulge me and read this brief “children’s devotional.” You never know…you might actually enjoy the change of pace!
“I’m sorry, Daddy.” Sherri said into the phone.
“We’ll talk when I get home,” her father replied.
Sherri hung up the phone and sobbed. Her father had told her not to part her bicycle near the curb. Now it was gone. Hauled away with the trash!
Why hadn’t she obeyed her father and parked the bike in the garage? What
punishment would she get when her father got home?
When her father came home, he lifted a brand new bicycle from the back of his truck and gave Sherri a hug.
“I love you, Sherri,” he said.
Did Sherri deserve the gift?
No.
Had she earned it?
No.
That is grace!
Grace is what God gives us when we accept the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. When we believe that, God gives us total forgiveness and eternal life in heaven.
Do we deserve His gift?
No.
Did we earn it?
No. 2 Timothy 1:9a says, “God saved us and chose us to be his holy people, but not because of anything we ourselves did. God saved us and made us his people because that was what he wanted and because of his grace.” Also, we read this in Ephesians 1:7 & 8 – “In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God's rich grace. God gave us that grace fully and freely. With full wisdom and understanding.”
That is grace!
I hope you accept God’s gift of grace today!
I also hope you will now download the Inductive Study Guide (click on the logo) and spend some time with God and His word by digging deeper into 2 Timothy 1:9 and Ephesians 1:7 & 8.
Let’s pray then you can get started. Heavenly Father, forgive our sins. We accept Your gift of grace through Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.