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Jesus replied, "This is the work of God: that you believe in the One He has sent."
JOHN 6:29 (HCSB)

"In this passage, our Lord is asked: "What can we do to perform the works of God?" (v. 28). ...But the answer Jesus gave was: "This is the work of God: that you believe . . ."

I receive a few daily devotionals in my email and this one came to me yesterday.  The email goes on to discuss belief and God's fidelity.  I enjoyed reading the devotional and studying it.  As is usually the case, God had a personal lesson in it for me as well.  The lesson wasn't written out in the email. It was in my heart as I read. 

I started thinking back to the time before I was saved.  I knew even then that God's promises were real and I believed that the Holy Bible was the Word of God.  I had some knowledge of the words that were written there and the promises that He had given to the world. I just wasn't saved and, as a lost person, I didn't believe that those promises had anything to do with me.  Now, my life is completely different.  I know those promises are for me.  They have everything to do with me and with my son. 

So what's the difference in my life of four years ago and my life now? 

The difference has nothing to do with a change in the words written in the Bible. Much to the contrary, God's Word never changes. It is eternal and has always been the same. The difference has everything to do with the change in me because I am saved. I am saved because I believe in Jesus and through that belief, I have a personal relationship with God. It was all the work of God - just like the Scripture says.  There is nothing I did different other than accept the gift of salvation that God had offered to me on a daily basis for the first 40 years of my life. 

Now, I'll never understand why more people don't let down their guard just for a second and accept God's gift.  Back then, nothing could have been farther down my "To Do" list.   It will always amaze me that the one time I truly opened my heart, God was right there with me and saved me.

I didn't have to track Him down and beg Him to forgive me.  He graciously wiped away my sins and took me in as His own the second I genuinely considered it.  I didn't have to hunt Him up or play phone tag for days. He was "Johnny on the spot" with salvation and overwhelmed me with His Love instanteously.  He didn't have me fill out an application or stand in line.  He swept me away on a sea of Forgiveness and Grace as soon as I cracked open the door for Him. 

I'll never understand how He knew that moment would come when it did.  Honestly, I didn't see it coming. I'll also never understand how He knows when those moments will come with everyone.  I'm always in awe of His Perfection.  Every time anyone anywhere in the world breathes His name, needs His Help, thanks Him or looks for Him - He's there, right there.  He always has been and always will be - from the very beginning to the very end.  Thankfully, it's not ever anything we do that saves us.  It's always the work of God.