The Gift

The Gift

Have you ever received a gift from someone you didn't know well, or gotten a gift that you didn't know what to do with? Wasn't it disappointing? Well, recently my friend, Julia, received not one but three gifts from three separate persons. Now this is rather amusing, because according to Julia, she is "not into gifts." The first gift was an outfit that was too large, although rather attractive. The second gift was a scarf of dubious color, and the third was a set of Christmas dishes --- in March. To say that Julia was quite perplexed upon the reception of these "gifts" is quite an understatement. She just couldn't figure out why she was receiving gifts, and why these gifts from these persons? Isn't it funny how most adults think that gift giving / receiving should be relegated to Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries, while children eagerly give and receive.

Most children love receiving gifts-- especially if the gift is from someone they like, who likes them. Watching a child receive a gift is priceless. Ever note the excitement and eagerness that fills the child's face as he tears open his gift? He can't wait -- to see, play with, and show (not necessarily share) it with others. If the gift is something he likes, and has been hoping for, he is ecstatically happy. Funny how as we get older, many of us loose that anticipation around gift giving and receiving. I wonder what's happened to us? When did we start thinking that gifts are just for kids or special occasions?

Throughout scripture we note salvation described (justification, sanctification and glorification) as a gift. It is not something we can earn. Yet it is of great value. It took Saul the Pharisee a long time to learn this. Indeed he did not come to see it
until he was on the Damascus road, where Christ revealed Himself to him. Suddenly all his trying to keep the law perfectly was seen in its true form, as dung. Instead, Paul came to see, and from the Holy Spirit enlightening his mind as he studied with others, to understand just what the incarnation, life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ meant not only to him, but to the whole world.

In I Corinthians 15 (vs. 45-48, and 21, 22) Paul introduces us to the concept of the first (earthly) Adam and compares him with Christ as the second Adam. Romans chapter 5 connects with I Corinthians chapter 15 and carries the concept further. In verse 12, Paul reminds us that "sin and death entered the world through one man (Adam 1st), and came upon all men to death, for all have sinned." Developing the concept still further, Paul states that as the offence came upon all through one man (Adam 1st),
the gift of grace and life has come upon all men through the second Adam (Christ). Accordingly as by disobedience, judgment to condemnation and death came upon all men, so by the obedience of one man (Christ), justification and righteousness came upon all men as a free gift (Romans 5:11-19). In other words, due to our status in Adam, as both sinners and sinful, we were condemned to die the 2nd death. But God, through the unspeakably good and gracious gift of the life, death and resurrection of His son, has reversed our condemnation and instead we've been justified to life. Just as we (the human race) didn't have a say in Adam's sin and condemnation, we did not have a say in the reversal process. Instead of God giving us what we deserved, He has given us the gift of love, of life and of joy. Wow, what a gift!

Yes, some of you will say, "but if Christ justified the human race as a whole, then everyone should be saved." Yes, you are right, everyone should be saved, but not every one will be, because they will not allow the knowledge of that gift to be mixed
with faith. They will not, and choose not to believe (Hebrews 4:2). Others may state that "Christ's sacrifice justifies believers only-- you first have to accept Him." Yes, scripture teaches that Christ justifies believers-- as Abraham was justified by
belief, and righteousness was reckoned to him. Yet, scripture also teaches that Christ bore the sins of all of humanity that He might put away sin, and reconcile us to the Father, He became sin and condemned sin on the cross. According to Paul, in Him we (the corporate human race) died, and were resurrected to life in Him. So, yes, He has rescued the whole world, is rescuing us, and will at last save those who have not resisted and rejected His gift of salvation, and they will make up His kingdom.

You know, some of us negate the gift of salvation by thinking, "God helps those who help themselves." How many of us love to quote this, but it is not scriptural. No, while we were sinners, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6, 9). What awesome
love He has for us. Friends when we share with others (and I hope we do) the gospel, lets share it from the perspective of a great, magnificent and wonderful gift--a priceless gift. When presented like this, its almost impossible to resist. Yes, some will not think highly of this gift, and some will not even think highly of the giver, and will scoff and reject it. Nevertheless, it is still a gift. Its true that in presenting the gift, people need to know they are sinners first, yes they need to know that they can't pull themselves up by their bootstraps to heaven-- that all their efforts to do good are filled with self. Yes, they even need to know that Jesus paid the penalty for their sin and that they are forgiven. To this great news, add that they are loved beyond measure, and that nothing will separate them from this love. Then share with them how this unspeakable gift has changed your life. I'm sure if you do, it'll awaken in both of you, joy unknown. According to James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father... ." "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15).
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Maria Greaves Barnes

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