Advent - the Gift DevotionalSample

“Stop trying to save yourself”

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). (Ephesians 2:4-5)

When I was a Boy Scout, I received my swimming merit badge, and I said, “You know, that was pretty easy! I think I’ll get my lifeguard merit badge!”

Well, I soon discovered a lot of things about getting a lifeguard merit badge. I learned when you’re rescuing somebody, while they’re still trying to save themselves and thrashing around in the water – you have to keep your distance! When they give up, when they surrender, when they realize, “I can’t save myself” – that’s when you can help them without putting yourself in danger of being pulled down.

You see, a lot of us are trying to save ourselves. I can always spot somebody who doesn’t know anything about being a Christian. They always say, “Well, I’m trying to be a Christian....” I want to say, “How’s that working for you?”

We fail every time just as we fail on every New Year’s resolution we make! You see, we can’t change ourselves. We need a Savior! Thankfully, God sent one at Christmas. He is ready to rescue us when we stop trying to rescue ourselves.