I began the lesson by asking everyone to tell me about a time that God had blessed them and they didn’t deserve it. Some people said they won their football game last week. One person told me that they received a dog for their birthday. Some said God blessed them with a delicious steak dinner.
I was not shocked to find that the majority of the class had trouble coming up with blessings they did not deserve. A very important truth that we as followers of Christ must understand is that every good thing that we receive comes from God. Did you know that every time you take a breath it is an undeserved blessing from God? Every time you look with your eyes, step with your feet, have fun with your friends, talk with your mouth and hear with your ears it is an undeserved blessing from God.
Every time Andy runs down the field in football practice, or Hampton makes a shot, or Kelli performs a dance it is an undeserved blessing from God. Every stroke that Ramey takes in swimming, each pull Sarah powers through in crew, each moment of laughter Billy has with his friends, or when Andrew gets to compete in a game, or when Jake scores a touchdown it is an undeserved gift from God.
Every time you have fun with a friend, every moment you laugh, every time you get to eat or buy new clothes, or go on vacation, or gaze at the beautiful mountains or swim in the magnificent sea it is an undeserved gift from God. Every time you break a bone and it heals, every time you get sick but then get better, every time you feel loved, every morning you wake up, or every second you see with your eyes, feel with your touch, hear with your ears, taste with your mouth is a second blessed by God that you did not deserve.
How is all this possible? Romans 3:23 says that we all fall short of the glory of God. In other words, we don’t deserve anything but condemnation from God. We deserve death. But Jesus’ death on the cross gave us life. His blood enables us to receive God’s blessings. Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Every good thing we have is because of Jesus.
How does this apply to us? In Galatians 6:14 Paul says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Our lives are supposed to boast the cross of Christ. In other words, bring glory to Him. Every time you listen with your ears, look with your eyes, run with your legs, talk with your mouth it is supposed to show the world the reason you have these things is because of Jesus’ death on the cross.
For example, if you are playing football, make a tackle to glorify Jesus. Tackle with all your heart. If you are talking to someone glorify God by speaking words of life, words of encouragement. When you are using your hands to wash dishes work with all your heart; bring glory to Jesus. His death gave you hands. His sacrifice gave you eyes, so glorify him with what you look at. Whether it is what you think about, talk about, play, study, read, listen to, work on, or see, do everything to bring glory to God. Because it is simply because of Jesus Christ that you have eyes, ears, a mind, talents and every good thing.
To not try in school is to tell Jesus that you don’t appreciate the undeserved mind that he has given you. To look at bad pictures or think lustful thoughts is abusing God’s gift to you. To be lazy in sports, complain with your mouth, or not read your Bible is to waste the life God has given you. Show how amazing Jesus is through the way you live!
Ryan Austin
Element Youth Leader
