“You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed.” Ephesians 2:8 (CEB) What is the greatest gift you have ever been given? Was it a Christmas or birthday gift? Was it a gift of appreciation or something someone gave unexpectedly? We have all received gifts over the course of our life. Some gifts are more memorable and special than others. Some gifts are given out of a sense of obligation. Some gifts come packed with incredible thoughtfulness and care. In my experience the one thing about gifts that is universal is we all enjoy receiving them. There is something exciting about opening a gift that someone has taken the time to give. I have two thoughts working their way through my mind as I consider the Scripture that Paul wrote so many years ago. The first thought is perhaps a little more obvious than the second. I am continually amazed at how much God loves us. To offer such an incredible gift to such undeserving folks amazes me. In our communion liturgy the pastor says, “Hear the good news, Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us.” We serve a God who loves us no matter what. This is the most amazing part of the gift of salvation to me. In our most undesirable state possible, God loved us and offered grace toward us. What a gift! The second thought that runs through my mind as I consider this Scripture is that everything in our life is a gift. If we received the greatest gift imaginable in salvation, everything else is a gift as well. We would never experience the rest of life if not for the first gift. As I think about my journey of faith over the last 30 years, I believe everything I experience in life is a gift from God that proceeds from God’s great gift of salvation. You’ve heard the phrase, “the gift that keeps on giving.” God’s gift of salvation, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, truly is the gift that keeps on giving. What a gift!