Not a Résumé, a Gift

Mark: This is for you, because I care about you and want you to have life in Jesus. Every job I've ever had asked what I've accomplished, so when people say God saves us, I wonder what he'd want on my résumé.

Sarah: Honestly, I used to wonder that too. There's a letter to a young man named Timothy that speaks right to it. Listen to this.

Scripture: who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.

Mark: Okay, but why was that written to him?

Sarah: The writer calls himself the Lord's prisoner, and he's encouraging Timothy. He reminds him of the faith his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had, and says God gave us power, love and self-control, not fear.

Mark: So my résumé isn't what got me in? That's hard to believe. I've never been handed anything for free.

Sarah: I know. I still fall short all the time. But this says God saved us by his own purpose and grace, given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal.

Mark: Huh. And that bit about death? That sounds huge, almost too big to take in.

Sarah: It is big. It says Jesus abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.

Mark: But if I can't earn it, what do I even do? Just say thanks and hope for the best?

Sarah: The writer says he knows the one he has believed. The passage doesn't give a prayer, but you could simply tell God, I want to know you.

Sarah: So here's one to carry today: what are you still trying to earn that might already be a gift? Follow this page, and we'll keep talking.