Gifts From God

The “Free Gift” of God is something we are familiar with in our culture. Because of Christmas, Easter and Sunday preaching, 85% of Americans feel they will receive the free gift of God. We are referring to Jesus of course, and how people think he gives out free passes into heaven.  If it were that simple God would not have given us hundreds of pages of instruction. Salvation is a plan for our lives that is very complex and intricate. In addition to the gift of God’s only son to the whole world, there are many other gifts available to Christians. These other gifts are foundational to the Christian life. For some reason, most Church people today are telling God they are not interested in his additional gifts. This is denying the truth and living in unbelief. Is it possible that we accept the first gift because Jesus did all the work but refuse the individual gifts because something is required of us?

All God’s gifts are undeserved favor toward humans. The grace of our God cannot be measured because it is so great. Although undeserved and immeasurable, all the gifts of God must be accepted in the prescribed way. The distribution of gifts is always accomplished by the Holy Spirit. If the gifts are to be a part of our life it is necessary that the Spirit live in us to provide the continuing grace of God. The Salvation of a person involves everything necessary to change an undeserving human from their position as a sinner into a righteous being that lives continually in God. As we sit on the Church bench we hear the words about living our lives for Him. We even sing songs stating that we will live our life completely in the service of our Lord Jesus.  Then we walk out the door and don’t even think about him for a week.

The main thing we need to receive the gifts of God is a desire for them. Unfortunately, most Churches have been teaching people that the additional gifts of God ceased a few years after Jesus died. However, the Bible tells us clearly that the gifts are for all Christians. One verse tells us directly that the gifts of God never stop. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Rom 11:29 The word repent does not tell fully what God is saying here. He is stating that he has no regrets and does not make mistakes and never needs to change the way he does things. When people say the gifts are not for today they are calling God a liar. If God were to stop the gifts of the Spirit then He would have effectively stopped his calling of sinners into righteousness. Christians must believe in the gifts of the Spirit.

The Greek word for “gifts” is charisma. In English it means a charming personality but in Biblical Greek it means the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. Maybe spiritual gifts give us an appealing personality in the Heavenly world. We do know that everybody is different in the next world just as we are individual in this world. This verse explains that having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. Rom 12:6 This passage goes on to say that whichever gifts have been given to us we must use them with the love of God for others. In another place Paul is talking about the gifts of God and he says; Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Cor 12:4 Although we are very individual the Spirit makes us all one in Jesus Christ. Our gift is always to benefit the body of Christ.

Peter confirms the “gifts are for the body” principle, while teaching about Christian love. He says; As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 In the last part of this verse we are told again that the gifts are part of God’s unmerited favor and we are required to be responsible to the body of Christ. All the spiritual gifts are given to us by the Spirit and are not the natural gifts we were born with. The Church is attempting to use the natural gifts in place of spiritual gifts. This is doomed to failure because everything we have naturally is involved in our sinful nature. We will never please God until our nature is completely yielded to Jesus Christ and we accept the gifts he has for us.  

Humans also have another problem that causes us to fail God. Simply put, we are easily distracted. Paul told his friend; Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which is given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of hands. 1 Tim 4:14 Even the few people that have accepted the gifts of the Spirit can grow weary and become involved in worldly things. A person must really love God if they intend to continue in His service. The best gifts are usually received by prophecy and the laying on of hands. This is not a hard and fast rule but God does have preferred ways of doing things. Because the Church has rejected tongues, healings, and miracles (gifts of the Spirit) it is difficult to find someone to lay hands on us. Somehow, we must receive the gifts of God. Lord, help us in this land of unbelief.

God uses people as his agents on earth. We may not feel qualified but this is the way of God’s favor (grace). Paul wanted to go to new places if God would allow. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established. Rom 1:11 Acting as God’s agent, Paul would lay his hands on someone the Lord had chosen and impart a gift of the Spirit. There have always been a few that served God like this but there are not very many. God’s servants are not cowardly and they must really focus, Wherefore, I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear. 2 Tim 1:6,7  We must accept all the gifts of God if  we want to be a good servant of Jesus Christ.