GIFT

The Bible is filled with affirmations of the generosity of our Creator. Every good and perfect gift is from him (Jas. 1:17). Surely our gratitude must be lavishly expressed for his graciousness. (a) God has given us life itself (Acts 17:25; 1 Tim. 6:13). Human life, therefore, is sacred. (b) Jehovah gives us daily provisions that we could not enjoy but by his favor (Acts 14:17; cf. Mt. 6:11). (c) Salvation, by means of Christ's death (Jn. 3:16), is God's gift to humanity (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9). (d) The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey the gospel (Acts 2:38; cf. Rom. 8:26). Many erroneously believe, however, that when an object is a gift, there can be no conditions attached. If there were, they argue, such would nullify the gift. That conclusion is not correct. Though "life" is a gift, we must sustain it by conforming to the laws of nature. Though our daily bread is God's gift, if we fail to sow and harvest, we will starve. Similarly, though salvation is a "free gift" (Rom. 6:23), and cannot be "earned" like "wages," nonetheless, being "delivered" from sin only occurs when one has been "obedient from the heart" to the correct "form of teaching" (Rom. 6:17). The same context informs us that this occurs when one is "raised" from the grave of "baptism" to walk in "newness of life" (6:3-4). Jesus plainly admonished that one must "work for eternal life," which, he added, "the Son of man shall give unto you" (Jn. 6:27). Man's obedience does not cancel God's generosity. And no gift, however lovingly given, can ever be utilized until it is "received" (cf. Jn. 1:12).