*If Jesus Had Not Been There… What Would Have Become of Us?*
> `For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)`
If Jesus had not been there, we would have had no life, no hope, no faith, no forgiveness, no right to be called children of God, no place in heaven, and no knowledge of God. We too would have been counted among the lost, the hypocrites, those who boast in the name of religion, and those heading towards hell. The presence of Jesus Christ in our lives is not the result of any good works of ours, but of God’s will and His grace.
It is essential for us to understand this so that we do not take the grace of Jesus lightly. For God will judge those who carelessly waste His free gift of grace.
In Luke 13:6–9, there was a fig tree whose owner came looking for fruit for three years, but found none. One day, he said, “Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” But the gardener replied, “Lord, let it alone this year also. If it bears no fruit next year, then cut it down.”
Perhaps that tree was you, the owner was God, and the gardener who pleaded to save you was Jesus Christ. If you have been saved, then bear fruit. Do not allow your salvation to be sacrificed on the altar of carelessness.
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin