The Gift of God
We all love to receive a gift, not only for the pleasure of receiving, but also because of the sentiment that it represents on the part of the giver. It is an expression of appreciation, of affection, of love.
The Bible describes the greatest of gifts as the one that God gives us. God our Creator has given us the life we live, this earth in which we live, and the food that sustains us, with many other blessings … but He has also given a gift that surpasses all others.
The Bible says:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
That means that we may receive the just payment that our sin has earned which is death, both physical death as well as spiritual and eternal death in the condemnation of the judgment ... it is what our sin deserves. On the other hand, we may receive that great and incredible gift which is eternal life.
As this verse tells us: “... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ … .” The gift is eternal life: life in the presence of God after death and the end of our life on earth. This life is in Jesus Christ ➔ through believing in and receiving Jesus as our savior and Lord.
Jesus Christ Himself explained that He can give this life to the person who asks Him:
“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up in to everlasting life.”
John 4:14
Later He also compared it to food:
“... that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”
John 6:27
This gift that comes from God is actually the person of Jesus Christ that God sent to the earth for salvation of those who believe:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
Notice the following regarding the great gift of God:
“For God so loved the world ...”
God demonstrates His immense love for us in giving us His Son to save us, and this is for the entire world, including you and your family!
“... that he gave his only begotten Son ...”
Many times a gift comes as a surprise, and here we are surprised by the greatness of the gift of God: it is His own Son, who is given to take on Himself our sins and save every one who believes.
“... that whosoever believeth in him ...”
This gift of God is received by faith, through believing in Jesus Christ, and in the sacrifice that He made on the cross in order to take our sins on Himself and save us from the condemnation for them. It is for all who believe.
“... should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The gift of God brings us the greatest possible blessing: to be freed from condemnation for our sin, and to receive eternal life with God in heaven.
A gift is given freely, without cost, and so it is with the gift of God. God does not demand that we do works, or pay in any way for what He offers us. We simply have to receive and give thanks. Will you receive the gift of God?
