The Gift Certificate
Shared by Patricia Backora, author of Tough Love in Christ’s Millennium
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John 4:7-14; Romans 5:15-21; Hebrews 10:29
Enclosed in the pages of My Holy Word you’ll find the most valuable Gift Certificate of all time: My free offer of eternal life through the Sacrifice of My Own dear Spotless Son, Who personally paid for it. All you have to do is repent and accept the offer of My Life living in and through you, and you shall never die. In like manner the Samaritan woman at the well thirsted for Living Water which only I was able to give her.
But what is the reaction of the vast majority of humanity to My generosity and kindness? It is like the spoiled little rich girl who had an eye only for big, impressive showy gifts that appealed to her snobbish pride. One morning the petulant child began to rip through all the big pretty boxes piled high beneath a glittery tree. She would admire one toy or dress, cast it aside and shout: “What else did I get?” impatiently, forgetting to thank all those doting friends and relatives who tried to keep her happy. She almost overlooked a mere envelope contributed by a poor aunt. The child opened it last of all and sighed: “Oh, it’s just a card, big deal.”
Swallowing her tears, her aunt choked: “Open it, dear, there’s a gift inside, just for you.”
At first the little girl’s eyes went round as saucers. All she noticed was the number. “It says it’s worth ten dollars! I can buy all the candy I want now, without asking Mama!”
“They don’t sell candy at the Bible Book Shop where it’s redeemable,” said her aunt. “I was hoping you’d pick out a nice little Bible or some other Christian book for yourself, to remember me by.”
The child’s face fell as she realized it wasn’t just any ten dollars she had, that it must not be spent on frivolous things but things good for her soul.
Angrily she ripped the certificate to shreds, spat on it and stomped on it, making a horrific commotion. “I hate you, you old witch! Go home! You’re just a crazy religious nut! I wish you hadn’t come to spoil our fun!”
The aunt bowed her head. Sad tears rolled down her cheeks. “I went without my medicine all this week just so I could buy that for you. And don’t worry about me spoiling your fun anymore. One day soon I’ll be going home to Jesus and you’ll never get another gift certificate from me again.”
One of these days My own Gift Certificate will expire and lost sinners will never hear Me calling them to repentance ever again.
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