But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Recently, a couple of co-workers surprised me with a gift basket they had made. It was filled with wonderful treats of all kinds – bath, lotions, teas and chocolate. It wasn’t my birthday or Teacher’s Appreciation Day or Valentine’s Day. In fact, there was nothing special about that day until they handed me that gift. I didn’t earn it or ask for it. It wasn’t a reward or a bribe or something given out of obligation. The basket was simply given from the kindness of their hearts. All that was left for me to do was receive it, say thank you and enjoy the treats.

God’s gift of salvation is just that – a gift. Freely given not as a reward or prize for the lucky few. Freely given for all who would receive.

So what is in the gift of salvation from God?

Along with the incredible gift of the forgiveness of our sins we also are given new life in Christ. A new life that doesn’t include sickness and disease.

Chidi Okoroafor of the Guardian Magazine has this to say:

“The ultimate plan of God is not divine healing but divine health. Divine health is your birthright in Christ Jesus. Don’t accept the life of sickness or any form of infirmity because, in Christ, there is no sickness at all.”

When we became born again, we received divine life – the God kind of life living inside of us. This divine life that lives in us is the resurrection power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead.

Our sins are forgiven and divine health and healing are granted to us, as gifts. We don’t need to beg God to forgive us or heal us, He has already done so. All we need to do is reach out with open hands and an open heart and receive the gift Jesus paid such a tremendous price for us to have.

Thank You Jesus for the gift of salvation. You bore my sicknesses and paid for my sins and saying thank You seems so incredibly inadequate to tell You how grateful I am for these gifts. Help me please, to live a life that honors You and the price you paid for me to live in Your divine health and presence. I love you, amen.