God’s Gifts, 15of15

 ~ None of God’s Gifts Can Be Purchased ~

God’s Gifts Series  ~  God has given mankind many gifts.  In this series we will look at just a few of them.  There are so many aspects of God’s gifts which we regularly receive and give little or no thought to—such as the air we breathe and the light which enables us to see (and the capability to do both). 

Important Series Concluding Note  ~  NONE of God’s gifts can be purchased or earned by anyone.  The price was fully paid by Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary — “It is finished!” (John 19:30).  Nothing more can be added.  This is a great differential between Christianity and ALL other religions.  The work of salvation is DONE and there is nothing that a person can DO to earn their salvation. 

Scripture  ~  “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’  But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!  You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.  For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity’” (Acts 8:18-23).

“But the free gift is not like the offense.  For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.  And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned.  For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.  For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:15-17). 

“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life [individuals have to accept that gift]” (Romans 5:18-19). 

Closing Comment  ~  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).  In one sense God’s “gift” is singular but His gifts are many with many facets (read 9:8-15). 

Important Concluding Comment  ~  God has granted a great many “grace gifts” to individuals who have accepted salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.  A major category of these grace gifts are commonly called “spiritual gifts.”  Another major category are often referred to as “natural abilities.”  Abundant Life Now will soon begin a series on the major spiritual gifts (literally grace gifts). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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