A FREE GIFT HAPPY EASTER
Most people like to receive a gift, especially a gift that is free. What is surprising is the gift that God offers is rejected by many. What is more surprising is God’s gift results with many benefits.
Since creation, God has given man a free will. They have the freedom to choose their destiny. Now, suppose I offer you $100.00 because I love you. I tell you it is free, no strings attached. You must make a choice, either accept it or decline to take it. If you accept it, there are many benefits that you can enjoy with that gift.
Again, many believe that to accept God’s gift, it will result in giving up self-pleasures that the world (the devil) offers. I can hear some of you say,” God’s gift is not free.” I beg to differ with anyone who makes that statement. The Bible reference to the gift of God is His Divine Love. Love is the Essence of God. You can receive it from Him if you desire.
With God’s Love comes many benefits called blessings. Have you ever considered what your life would be like if God removed His Love from you? Some examples that the Bible point out is the description of Hell. You can look it up in the following references. It’ll be beyond anything humanly imaginable! The Bible describes it as, weeping (Matt 8:12), wailing (Matt 13:42), gnashing of teeth (Matt 13:50), darkness (Matt 25:30), flames (Luke 16:24), burning (Isa 33:14), torments (Luke 16:23 everlasting punishment! There are more.
God’s Love is shown in many ways. In all cases, you cannot buy, work for, or obtain it in any way. God’s Love is free by His Grace. God’s Love is free but it came with a cost. The horrible example is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Romans executed criminals on the cross. It is said to be one of the most horrible ways to die. The prelude to Jesus’ death on the cross was the beating He took before. He was beaten almost beyond recognition. He was so weak; He could not carry His cross. Why? Because of God’s Love for every person. ROMANS 5:8 8 But God has made clear his love to us, in that, when we were still sinners, Christ gave his life for us.
What many people think of love is a form of selfishness and not pure love. There are several forms of love. Some examples are as follows:
- Philia — Affectionate Love. Philia is love without romantic attraction and occurs between friends or family members. …
- Pragma — Enduring Love. …
- Storge — Familiar Love. …
- Eros — Romantic Love. …
- Ludus — Playful Love. …
- Mania — Obsessive Love. …
- Philautia — Self Love. …
- Agape — Selfless Love.
Agape love gives without waiting for the other person to love first. Agape love comes from God. It is a blessing to those who are born again (1 John 4:7). For you to love your neighbor (a commandment) it must come from God as agape love does not come naturally.
The love that comes from God is Agape love. It is a selfless love. He proved that by sending Jesus to be a sacrifice for our sins and redeem us. ROMANS 5:8 GWN 8 Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us. You need to believe that God loves you. He does because you are valuable and precious and He wants the best for you. After all, He created you and wants you to be a member of His eternal family.
Do you know that love gives? Without giving there is no proof of love. Love always gives, but it does not always give what is requested. Love always gives something.
In the King James Version of the Bible, love is mentioned 310 times
Another free gift of God is His Grace. Again, you cannot earn it, buy it or do anything to obtain it. God’s Grace comes from His essence of His being. God’s grace is gracious, slow to anger, a steadfast love, and His faithfulness. His grace is a favor or gift given to you to bring happiness to your life.
For by Grace, you have been saved through Faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
The Bible tells us that when God gave us Jesus Christ, God gave us everything Jesus has. Romans 8:32.
So, we need to understand that all things that Jesus has, we have inherited, if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord. With Jesus, He freely gave us all things. We are joint-heirs, Galatians 4:7 and Romans 8:17.
Now, if you are a born-again believer, which is a spiritual rebirth, you are intitled to the following blessings: healing, prosperity, peace, joy, and all the blessings God has to offer. They are all free. You need to exercise faith to receive. Faith is the key to open what God has to offer.
I know that there are some and even Christians that will argue that salvation is not free. I do not want to cover that type of argument in this post. As of now I am only going to say that someday I pray that you come to understand what the Bible says.
There is one interpreter that reveals the truth as God wants and that is the Holy Spirit.
Since God gave you a free will, you can choose to go your own way and believe your own thing. If you go through life on your own doing the best you can, how is it working out?
You have control of something so precious and more important than anything you can have and that is your life. If things are not working out, have not worked out for you, maybe you should accept the love of Jesus.
Jesus Christ has a perfect track record and knows more about you than you know about yourself. Your eternal future is in His hands. It all depends on where you have put Him in your life.
Doctrine can separate us; the love of Jesus can bring us together.
In this life we will never agree on everything. Unity will only come through one source and that is through Jesus Christ.
This Friday through Sunday the Christian community looks upon what is considered the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection.
God loves you and so do I.