God has given us the whole package in Christ, how do we open the gift"? it is through Gods grace that we have been saved through faith, believing and receiving this promise to us. We don’t work for it, earn it, or try, we simply accept it with thankful hearts and receive this free gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8). What a loving father! And his gift does not stop there, after opening the gift we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as we do life with Christ daily walking with Him, learning and growing and becoming all that he has created us to be, he is with us and will never leave us, what a comforting promise that is.
By Grace we have been Saved
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law, ye are fallen from Grace. We have been made right with God through Jesus, we do not need to strive anymore, by self effort, feeling condemned, trying to be right, we have been transformed and our minds are being renewed by the truth. He's the one who will “strengthen [us] with power through his Spirit in our inner being” (Ephesians 3:16), Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20) and will perfect us as we cling to Him in the midst of our trials
“Don’t trust your own ability, rest in Gods tranquility
Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you it will be easy to let them go”
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].
Resting & Receiving or Striving & Surviving
REST & RECEIVE. When we receive His promises, His holy word into our hearts we can rest in the Lord. (Hebrews 4:3) For we who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power], just as He has said, “As I swore [an oath] in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest,” [this He said] although His works were completed from the foundation of the world [waiting for all who would believe].
STRIVE & SURVIVE. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. We don’t just want to survive, we want to thrive, be difference makers in the world he has given us, spreading the love and light of Jesus Christ. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14). How do we thrive in a fallen world, in the trial and tribulations that come to human kind, He promises to help us stabilize, strengthen, heal, mend, guide, calm, comfort, set free and be with us……When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43.2)
I will never leave you nor forsake you. When we can receive that word into our hearts through faith the peace that passes all human understanding then guards our hearts and our minds in Christ. He died to set the captives free.