The Gift

James F. Gauss

December 25, 2023

By nature, and by culture, we as Americans, like to give and receive gifts.  We like to, if we can afford to, give gifts, not only at Christmas, our favorite time, but also on a person’s birthday, graduation, wedding and many other special occasions.  We also like to receive gifts at those times too.  We may even give or receive gifts for no particular reason at all.  Just because we feel like it.

People of many other cultures like to do the same.  Even in poorer cultures, or families, gifts are often given and received.  They may be torn, battered, used or handcrafted, but the spirit in which they are given or received is the same: A spirit of love in giving and a spirit of thankfulness in receiving.

Have you ever given someone a gift and charged them a sum of money or some other extraction from them, like a favor, or promise?  No, if it is a gift, you can’t.  Otherwise it would not be a gift.  If you did receive something of value—other than a “thank you”, a kiss, a hug, or a smile—it would no longer be a gift, it would be a bribe.  A gift, by nature and purpose, is free to the receiver, otherwise it is not a gift, but a purchase by you and/or a payoff by the giver.

Have you ever been given a gift and told by the giver to never open it? It may be beautifully and expensively wrapped.  It may be tiny or huge, but if you could never unwrap it, how would you know what it is or the giver’s intention?  How or when would you ever thank them for their gift? The gift might be worthless, like a block of wood.  Unless, of course, you needed wood to cook or stay warm.  Then it may be invaluable and highly cherished.  It could be something very valuable, like a gold watch or a thousand shares in a large company.  However, such a gift might be viewed as meaningless if the receiver already had dozens of gold watches or a million shares of the company already. 

It’s all a matter of perspective, expectation and spirit of the receiver.  The receiver may place a far different value on the gift received then the giver intended.  While the giver may give the gift out of love, the receiver may not appreciate the gift or the intent of the giver, because they were expecting something else.  Something more expensive, bigger, flashier or in keeping with one’s image and desires.

What is the most cherished, or expensive, or biggest, or most appreciated gift you have ever been given?  In your childhood, it might have been a shiny new bike, or a much sought after electronic device, or puppy.  For a special occasion, like a graduation or wedding, it might be something that you attach more symbolic or heirloom value to, rather than monetary value.  Most of us can remember such gifts and may even still have one or two.

Many, many years ago, there was a gift given to all mankind.  A gift that was enthusiastically received by some, but rejected by most.  Some excitedly unwrapped the gift immediately and fully embraced its substance.  Others struggled to open the gift or fully unwrap it, and therefore could not fully enjoy its purpose, nor be fully thankful to the giver.

Two thousand years later, the majority of people worldwide still struggle to freely receive that gift.  Millions of people have freely accepted this gift, but sadly, many millions more reject it, even though it is free, yet given at a great price.  Some desire the gift, but reject the giver.  Others willingly receive the gift, but forget all about the giver as time passes.  Many more think there is a “catch” to the gift and they must “earn” the giver’s favor in order to fully benefit from the gift.  If they only knew the true nature of the gift and fully embraced the giver and his intentions, they would be set free and the world would be a different place.

What is this Gift? It is the gift that was purchased at the greatest price ever known to mankind, by the greatest giver of all creation.  It is a gift that is beyond man’s full comprehension and appreciation.  Yet, it is free and without any “strings” attached.  It cannot be purchased by anyone, at any price, but only by the One who paid the ultimate price.

The Bible says that sin entered the world and mankind when the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God and rebelled against Him.  Apostle Paul, who considered himself chief among sinners, wrote, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23).

“Therefore,” Paul penned, “as through one man’s [Adam’s] offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s [Jesus’] righteous act [death on the cross] the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life” (Romans 5:18).

“For the wages of sin is [spiritual] death,” Paul clearly stated, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

God’s gift to those who will accept it takes on many forms.  First, those who accept His gift are brought into right relationship with Him through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead.  If one accepts those facts, then he or she will receive the gift of redemption and forgiveness for their sins.

Jesus Himself said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).  The gift of eternal life with Father God and His Son is the most amazing gift of God.  However, it does not start upon death, it starts with that assurance once one calls upon Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of one’s life.  When that happens believers receive another astonishing gift. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

“For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.  For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” (Romans 10:9-13).

Come! Receive your free gift from God.