Good and Perfect Gifts are from Above

“¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” — James 1:17 (ESV)

These are the words of James and they are powerful indeed. I am continuing my study of “gift” and this morning I am brought here to read about the good and perfect gifts from above. What is meant “from above” in my thoughts here are me.

I know, a bit self-serving in what I am reading and thinking of and really shouldn’t I dig deeper into the passage to understand and not just pick and choose verses to fit my own thoughts? Yes, and that is what I have done as seen here in the following verse from James.

“¹⁸Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” — James 1:18 (ESV)

See that James calls out that we were “brought forth” and are “firstfruits” of God. I was created by God and am a good and perfect gift of His. I was brought forth in this world to bring the gospel to others and to bring glory to Him. I just as noted, a “good gift…perfect gift” and was sent here from above.

I hear what I just wrote and want to clarify. I am NOT perfect. I do not claim to be anything other than what I am. I was created in the image of God and my purpose is to bring the gospel to this world as noted in His Word.

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

From the words of Jesus Himself, I am to go and make more disciples of everyone. I am to to do so in the name of God who created and sent me to do so. I am the good and perfect gift of God.

How do you see yourself in this world? Do you see yourself as just existing and wondering how and where you fit? What if you looked at yourself as God’s good and perfect gift sent out in this world to bring glory to Him and the gospel to everyone?

Accepted Gift or Just Received

This morning I was again reminded (has happened a lot over the past couple weeks) that the gift of grace and salvation from God is free to all, yet requires acceptance and not just receipt. I wrote first of the difference in the two about two weeks ago and it continues to manifest daily in my study of the word “gift”.

Receive: to come into possession of: acquire

Accept: to receive (something offered) willingly

— Merriam-Webster Online

Notice the difference in the definition above. Accepting is the willing acquisition of something where as receiving is just acquiring it. As pertains to grace and salvation, we all are provided the gift and receive them from God. Managing them in our lives and using them to bring glory to God requires acceptance.

Now, on to this mornings learning and reminders for me. Once I have truly accepted the gift of grace and salvation from God I have it forever. It is in the word “truly” in the previous sentence that drives that home. I can receive the gift and yet not accept it. I can be involved in the community of Christ yet not be a member. It is the acceptance of the gift and becoming a member of the family of God where I am found.

“⁴For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” — Hebrews 6:4-6 (ESV)

There are a lot of thoughts as to what is meant here. I happen to believe as I noted above that it refers to the difference in the receipt and acceptance of the gift of grace and salvation. It is possible for someone to be involved in the community of Christ and yet not be a member. There are many examples of those who have pretended to be followers of Christ for the optics of what that represents and then when they walk away after church, return to the life of secularism. These are those who have received the gift of grace and salvation, yet did not take the chance to accept the gift.

“⁷For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.” — Hebrews 6:7-8 (ESV)

And there it is, the difference in receiving and accepting in the example of land and rain. Rain will come and the land will receive it, yet whether or not it is accepting and using it in cultivation, that is the question. All of the land receives the gift of rain, yet not all of the land is accepting of the rain to be used in cultivation.

For me, I have to be thankful for the LORD and His gift of grace and salvation. I am in the position to receive the gift and for that I am also thankful. Where things get good are only when I have accepted the gift and as noted in Timothy, I have “fan into flame the gift of God”. This is where I will find the chance to truly bring glory to Him.

What is the status of the gift of grace and salvation in your life? Have you received it as others have and then go back to the world? What if you received and then accepted the gift to be used and cultivated into the glorification of God?

Use it or Lose it?

I don’t know about you, but I have often heard the phrase, “use it or lose it”. It has been used in the context that we are given certain things and it is our duty to use them as they were intended and if not, then they will not maintain in the coffers to use (ex. Talents, budgeted funds, grocery supplies…).

There is one area in which it will not be lost and that is in the area of the grace given by God. Once we have accepted the gift of grace and salvation from God it is not lost if not used. Although there may not be a designated universal use identified, there is a use and that is for each individual to understand through their relationship with God. I will say that even though it is not lost, it is our responsibility to use the gift of grace and salvation for the glory of God. And in doing so, it will only grow stronger and more ample as we move forward.

“⁶For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” — 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)

Paul reminds Timothy that he has been blessed with the gift from God, and his responsibility it to grow that gift into something greater and use it for God’s glory. I can see here Paul speaking to me as well. I have the gift of teaching and it is my responsibility to continue growing that gift, day over day and be the lifelong learner of how I might build on that which I have been entrusted. I have to “fan into flame” the Word of God through the gift I have been given.

Now, let’s go back to the question that is the title my writing this morning, “Use it or Lose it?”. Well, the gift of grace and salvation from God that is given and accepted is not something that is lost without use, so the short answer is no. I will say that even as we may not lost our grace and salvation, it may be muted for others to see if not used on a regular basis. I am going to take a detour into the world of sports for a moment to provide an example.

I recently watched a video of an older basketball player who, in his own right was pretty talented. He had a good career and was regarded as an all-star at times. In this video which was from several years after his retirement, he was not in the same physical shape as he was in his playing days. He was much heavier and as you watched was a bit slower in his steps. But, as you watched with open eyes, what I saw was the talent he possessed. I could clearly understand why he was a pro player. He was clearly more talented than those he was playing with. He had lost a step, yes, but the talent was still there and you could see that the only thing missing was the age and the lack of continued use of the skills.

No, I am/was not a spectacular basketball talent at one time. What I am is a child of God who has been given and accepted the gift of grace and salvation. Along with that gift, I was also granted the talent of teaching. I have the responsibility to continue growing that talent and use it for the glory of God or else run the risk of it being muted and only flashing up in videos for those with a keen eye to notice, much the player I described earlier. I have to “fan into flame” the talent so that even as I grow older it is still widely seen and regarded for the glory of God.

What is your talent? Are you neglecting it and running the risk of it being muted and missed by the vast majority of those you come in contact? What if you used it continually and worked to “fan into flame” that talent for the continued glory of God and as the example for others?

Your Gift is Great, Do Not Neglect It

“¹⁴Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” — 1 Timothy 4:14 (ESV)

Paul is speaking to Timothy here and he is reminding him to utilize the gift that was given him. It is easy to move on to things that may seem to give more in return and step away from the gift that was given to us.

I know for me it was many years ago that I was asked to be a Sunday school teacher for the youth in my church. I accepted and truly enjoyed it, although life got in the way and I was pulled into my work and away from the teaching. As time went on, I was given the opportunity to become a trainer for my company and after only a few weeks realized that I had found my career. I would have gotten here a few years before had I only been focused on finding and using my gifts as it was and is in teaching that I have the impact.

I am still in the field of learning and development and know that I am right where I belong. I am no longer neglecting the gift I was given by God. I am here to live out my life bringing glory to Him in the way that He has planned for me. I may not know what is around the next corner in my career, although I do know that it will certainly be in the field of learning and development as I continue to enhance my gift and use it in my kingdom purpose.

Timothy was out in the world doing the work assigned by God through Paul. Paul stayed in contact with him to encourage and guide him in the work. I believe that this passage is a great one to lean on as it shows that the work will be completed, but only through the continued dedication to the work and using the gifts given by God to accomplish them.

“¹⁵Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” — 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (ESV)

The work done and the gifts used will bring glory to God and touch the lives of those around you. I have embraced the gift of teaching and where it may not seem like much, I know that I am touching the lives of everyone that I come in contact with through the glory of God and His work.

What is your gift? Are you using that gift for the glory of God and to touch others? What if you were focused on the gift God gave you, enhancing it and using it to touch the lives of those around you?

Gift From God, Just Because

Gifts come for all sorts of reasons. There is the Christmas gift, the birthday gift, the wedding gift, the retirement gift, the graduation gift, the attendance gift, and on and on. Ultimately the gifts are for achieving something or reaching some milestone or for some sort of event. These are not new and in some respects are expected.

Now what about a gift that is given to which there is nothing you have to do or achieve or milestone or event. Imagine a gift that is given just because of the love for you. A gift to which you do not have to earn, nay, cannot earn. A gift for you that is free and all you have to do is accept. Well that is the gift of salvation given through the grace of God.

“⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

I really like verse nine above, “not a result of works”. I do not have to do anything to earn this gift. I do not have to reach a milestone. I do not have to achieve a level of attainment. I only have to accept the gift that is freely given just because God wants me to have it.

That is the way Christ works. He freely gives. He only wants me to have. He has provided for and blessed me with all that I have. Yes, there is work that I have done in this world to acquire things, but it would not have been made possible without the freely given provisions and blessings of God. All just because He loves me and only wants the best for me. And all I have to do is accept the gift and use it to glorify Him.

What do you receive gifts for? Are you doing things expecting those gifts to come as a result? What if you were to just look to God and accept the gift that He has for you that is given just because?

God’s Gift, Inexpressible

Have you ever been at a loss for words due to experiencing some sort of event in your life? I know that I have and one of those captures my attention every day, the gift of grace from the LORD. I have been blessed to experience the grace of God on a regular basis and there is no real reason for it. I am not a captain of industry or an overtly recognizable public figure. I am a child of God struggling daily to get along in this world and yet, He gives me grace at every turn.

“¹⁵Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” — 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

If God’s grace is inexpressible, then how is it that I am to let others know of the grace that I am afforded by God. Well, that is in my actions of bringing glory to Him through generosity and love provided for others. I do not need to make it known to all through my words, I can and should rely on my actions to demonstrate the grace provided of God.

“¹⁰He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. ¹²For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” — 2 Corinthians 9:10-12 (ESV)

My role in all is to provide for the needs of others. Whether that is monetarily or in actions. Just the other day, Lori and I were out to dinner and as we were headed to the car, we noticed an older couple struggling to get to the car. We had a choice, get our vehicle and head home or lend a hand and demonstrate the grace God provides for us. Of course, we assisted them in getting to the car and what a witness it was. We did not ask for anything in return, and yet we were blessed beyond belief in knowing that we enriched someone thanks to the grace of God and His gift to us.

“¹³By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, ¹⁴while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.” — 2 Corinthians 9:13-14 (ESV)

It is my role to contribute to others with a generous heart that is filled with the grace of God. He gives freely to me and I am tasked with doing the same with those around me. I don’t do it for the recognition and frankly, as Paul notes, the gift of God’s grace is “inexpressible”. Yet I can demonstrate His grace in my life by giving grace to others freely and generously.

What is your thought on the gift of grace from God? Are you working daily to find the way to express your receipt of that grace? What if you recognized that you are unable to sufficiently express that gift and instead, demonstrated the gift of God through your generous actions and giving to others?

Gift of Physical Relationship and/or None

Lori and I have been married for what will be 27 years in just a few weeks. We have enjoyed our time together as partners and are looking forward to the next 27 years. Where our time together has not been without its challenges, we are still in love with one another and continue to grow closer. And our closeness includes our physical relationship as well. We are certainly giving fully of one another to the other.

“³The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. ⁴For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” — 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (ESV)

I do not want to get too deep into the weeds here of our physical relationship other than to say that we are happy to be there for one another. Our physical relationship is a gift that we accept and are thankful for.

This is not to say that being celibate is not without its goodness either. Paul was celibate for the duration of his ministry and counted it a gift as well. Paul was fully devoted to the LORD and counted himself blessed to do so.

“⁶Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. ⁷I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. ⁸To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.” — 1 Corinthians 7:6-8 (ESV)

Paul is content with the lack of human physical relationships as he is fully committed to the relationship with Christ. He makes it clear that where this is the life for him, he fully understands that the gift of celibacy for him may not be such a gift for others and where it is not, then the physical relationship should be sought, but only under the guise of marriage.

Both the physical relationship with a spouse, and/or celibacy are a gift to be celebrated. Whereas Lori and our marriage is a gift from God, our physical relationship is as well. Yet that is not to say that the celibate relationship with God is not a gift in and of itself. My mothers 45 year celibate relationship with God is just as beautiful as our 27 year marriage to one another.

Which gift are you enjoying today? Are you concerned that no physical relationship is somehow not as rewarding? What if you count your relationship as a gift, whether physical or not and embraced the love between you and God or you and your spouse as a gift from God?

Gift of Life as a Result of Being a Slave to Obedience

“¹⁶Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” — Romans 6:16 (ESV)

The word slave conjures up a lot of controversy in society today. I want to put it out there to ensure that I am clear in that I am not drawing ire as I do understand the controversy. Paul is speaking to how we live our lives and what it is that we allow to master our lives.

We have a choice as to which we allow to take the lead in our lives, sin or obedience. The choice is an easy one, yet the result is drastically different and will impact in profound ways. When we select to be a slave to sin, we are running toward lawlessness and think in selfish terms as we go through this world. When we select to be a slave to obedience, we are running toward the LORD and that which He has for us, righteousness.

“¹⁹I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” — Romans 6:19 (ESV)

On the surface, sin may seem like a natural choice to fit in this world and be accepted by society as one of the group. The problem with it is that the group and society are lost in sin and are on their way to death and destruction as noted by Paul in verse 16 that I have quoted above. Society is ruled by the evil one and he is leading the way to destruction.

I chose to be a slave to obedience and therefore lead to eternal life with Christ. No, it is certainly not easy and I will stumble and fall, yet the end result is movement toward Christ and the glory of heaven is confirmed as my home.

“²²But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:22-23 (ESV)

Notice the shift in focus here from being a slave to obedience to being a slave of God. I know it may seem a bit strange to accept, and my first paragraph speaks to what we allow to master our lives as opposed to who masters. But look at my previous sentence and that paragraph and the use of the word “allow”. The key thing for me is that it is a choice as to being a slave in this instance. I choose to be a slave to obedience and subsequently a slave of God. I want it to be so and I embrace it as I know the end result is that of eternal life with Him in heaven.

What is it that you are a slave? Are you living your live to serve society and allowing sin to be your master? What if you accepted obedience and allowed yourself to be a slave to it and subsequently being led to righteousness and eternal life in heaven?

One Sin, Followed by Death, One Gift Accepted, Followed by Life

The title is correct and yet may be a bit confusing for some, and I have to say that it took me a minute to get through it so that I could share my thoughts.

Let me start with the first part of the title, “One Sin, Followed by Death”. You see, it was Adam and Eve who committed the first sin. They ate from the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” and as such disobeyed the one thing that God had prohibited of them. They sinned one time and that sin lead to sin of all and lead to the death of all (here in this world). Had they not sinned then they would have been companions to one another and to God, likely for eternity in this world in the Garden of Eden. Yet, their one sin started the ball rolling for all of us to be sinners and subsequently dying in this world.

“¹²Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” – Romans 5:12 (ESV)

Then there is the gift of salvation from God to us, “One Gift Accepted, Followed by Life”. The sin committed by Adam and Eve led to the sin of all, the gift of salvation, where offered to all, is only for those who accept the gift. I know that is hard, yet as I think of my study of the word “gift”, I am reminded that everyone is given the opportunity to accept the gift and where all my receive it, all will not accept. For those who do accept, they are granted eternal life once again that eluded them thanks to the sin of Adam and Eve.

“¹⁵But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.” — Romans 5:15 (ESV)

Yes, both sin and the gift of salvation were the results of one man’s actions, Adam and Jesus, there are very different paths to the impacts of those. Sin is passive and all of us are sinners as a result of the actions of Adam. The gift of salvation is active and all who accept the gift are saved as a result of the action of acceptance of that gift provided by the actions of Jesus. I have to remember the active part of the equation and take that into my day to day to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to hear and accept and not just expect that everyone has or will at some point. I have to be the conduit by which everyone receives the gift and has the chance to accept and therefore lead to life eternal.

How did you come to be a sinner? Are you even aware that you are a sinner due to the actions of one, Adam? What if you accepted the gift of salvation, knowing that it is due to the actions of one, Jesus?

Gift for All Even as All are Sinners

“²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” — Romans 3:23 (ESV)

Here is the beginning of the “Roman Road to Salvation” as it is sometimes known. This is where it all starts in our movement to the gift of salvation from the LORD. What I see is that there is no discrimination as to who has sinned, it is identifying everyone. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you have done, we are all sinners and fall short of a right relationship with God.

“²⁴and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” — Romans 3:24 (ESV)

And yet, we are ALL presented the gift of salvation. Not just those deemed “worthy” by the law or by others. ALL are presented the gift from God. Boy am I glad that I fall into the ALL.

I am part of the ALL as a sinner and a receiver of the gift of salvation. As noted in the title of this blog, ALL are sinners and ALL receive the gift. But, not all will accept. The gift was/is presented to everyone and everyone has the opportunity to accept, yet not all will.

I was presented the gift and accepted. And that is the key thing here for me to remember. I was presented the gift of salvation and in order to be saved, I had to accept. I could not just receive it and then throw it under the seat of the truck, I have to keep it in plain view and remember it was given and I actively received it. I announced that I had received through baptism and I have to continue to announce it daily as the reminder that I did accept and have a responsibility to Christ as a result.

The gift of salvation is one that is freely given to ALL and ALL have the chance to receive it as well as accept. This is not dependent on and status of actions completed or righteousness under the law or right living standards. We are ALL sinners, regardless of where or what we come from. We are not excluded from the opportunity. Salvation is the free gift and for ALL to accept.

What are your thoughts on your status as relates to the gift of salvation? Are you aware that you are a sinner and yet the gift is for you as well? What if you came to the LORD and held out your hands and accepted the free gift of salvation given to you knowing that it is for ALL and you fall into that ALL?