GOSPEL NUGGETS #192

True Story

A little boy told an evangelist who was a family friend to come with him to a contest he would be participating. He told the evangelist that he would win the contest and earn for himself the coveted prize---a watch.

And so the evangelist taking advantage of the opportunity went with him to the contest and saw how the young boy failed to win the prize even though he did his best to win it. His efforts proved futile.

Days after that, he gave the young boy a gift package. Upon opening it, he discovered to his delight that it contained the watch that he so desired to have in his possession---the watch he failed to win in the contest. 

Seizing the moment, he told the young boy in effect: "You see, God's salvation is like that. You can never earn it by your own efforts. But God gives it to you as a free gift." 

Salvation is not something that we earn. It is a free gift that is to be freely received by faith in Christ.