I have a daughter who usually gives me gift cards for my birthday. She did so again this year, and I have already used them. A few years ago I set one of them aside and forgot about it. I found it just before Christmas and used it then.

I remember reading an article once about unused gift cards, so I did an online search. While most gift cards are used within the first six months, almost 20% of gift card balances remain unredeemed at any give time. About 6% of gift cards are never used at all. That works out to be THREE BILLION dollars worth of gift cards are bought each year and never spent. They were given, they are good, they could be used, they can make purchases, but they are not used.

That reminds me of the great love of God and how many react to it. He has given us so very much. God offers of free forgiveness to everyone in the world. The payment for the sins of the world has already been made, paid in full. Jesus did that when He offered Himself as the sacrifice for sin. The “gift cards” have been issued, so to speak. God offers free forgiveness to everyone. It is like he placed a “get into heaven free” card in front of everyone. But some people don’t bother picking it up and using it. They leave it behind.

Jesus knew this would be the case. He was lamenting how His own people, the chosen nation of Israel, did not listen to Him.

Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

As I said above, Jesus already paid the price.

1 John 2:1–2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Don’t leave your gift card unused. Take Jesus at His Word. Believe in Him. And get the benefit of what He did through His life of perfection, His innocent suffering and death, and His victory over death when He rose again.