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A song we have sung many times states, “To God be the glory, great things He hath done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son; Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life-gate that all may go in.” The chorus is: Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, thro’ Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.

There are many songs in our books that have such deep meaning for those of us who are struggling in this world. This song tells of the love of God for mankind. He loved us so much He did not withhold the greatest thing He had—His Son. That is an awesome thought! Many of us who have children would never think of doing this, but we have a God who thinks and acts differently than we do. I am so glad.

If I received what I deserved it would be painful, to say the least. God, in His mercy, gives me the opportunity to respond to His great love. Paul stated, “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” (Eph. 2:8) God’s grace saves us and it is by His power that we are to respond. The latter part of verse eight tells us it is through faith. This means that God has offered but now we must make a faith response. Although God wants all men to be saved (2 Pet.3:9), if we failed to act we will be separated from God by the sin in our lives (Rom.3:23; 6:23).

Occasionally we get a renewal on a credit card. There is a certain limit that we may charge with that card. When it comes it has a sticker on it that gives us a number to call to activate it. We can use the card, charge anything we want up to the limit on the card (which is sometimes very high), and there is no charge for doing this. However, if we never call the number and activate the card, we cannot use it. God’s grace saves as we react to the commands He has put before us. It is not we who are saving ourselves, but God. If I never make a faith response to God I will be lost eternally—and so will you. God has provided. Have you acted on His provision?