Sunday, August 14, 2011

GIFT OF GRACE

 I had the strangest dream last night, I hadn't dreamed before.
It was a supermarket with rows of things in store.
The goods were something special with writing on that said,
This card you’re standing, looking at, you’ll need when you are dead.
The writing was quite simple. It just read “welcome home.
Bring this card along with you when you’re before God’s throne.
The store was very busy as people came and went.
But still the shelves were laden though no one paid a cent.
The store had no cash registers. The doors were open wide.
Outside there was a notice which read, “Welcome come inside.
The goods will cost you nothing They’re given out for free.
If you will just say sorry, for what you’ve done to me!”
The customers were mystified. “It’s too good to be true.
There has to be a catch somewhere. I wonder what to do?”
So many folk were milling round in that gigantic place.
A look of incredulity expressed on every face.
But one or two poor people had taken theirs for free.
And nobody objected; at least none I could see.
These people’s hands were empty. They didn’t have to pay.
They simple just believed it and took the gift away.
But many of the customers brought all that they possessed.
In wheelbarrows and donkey carts. “It surely can’t cost less”!
And so they wandered idly. There was no place to pay.
So not one of the silly folk would take their gift away.
I know the story’s simple and so hard to believe.
That is because the people pay for all that they receive.
We see it all around us. God’s special gift of grace,
It’s something they must pay for – Their faith has been misplaced.
The Lord gives it for nothing. It doesn’t cost a cent.
There’s only one requirement and that is to repent.
He knows we can’t afford it, so God gives it away.
And all who will believe in Him receive it come what may.
I woke up from my dreaming. The things I dreamed were gone.
Then Jesus whispered to me, “My son, just carry on”.
You cannot pay with silver and even gold is mud.
The only price that man could pay is covered by My Blood.
Please go and tell the people before the market’s closed.
You can’t pay for Salvation. That’s not the way it goes.
You only have to come to me and tell Me you repent.
If anyone will do this thing, I’ll certainly relent.
They’ll get God’s true salvation if they will trust in Me.
They cannot ever work for that which I have given free”.
Jim Strickland – written Monday, 15 August 2011