THE PERFECT GIFT

Romans 5:15-17  

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!  Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.  For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!  

Everything I have to offer God is tainted with my imperfection.  My best efforts and good intentions are impure in themselves.  Yet, in His boundless mercy, God does not ask me to bring perfection.  He wants me to allow Him to wash me in His righteousness, so I can be clean.  The offering God wants me to bring to Him is myself.  I’m the gift He desires.  

God’s gift of grace allows me the opportunity to present myself as an offering to Him.  His gift of grace means that He saw my plight, had compassion, and offered me something I didn’t deserve.  He offered Himself to me.  

When I acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, I recognize Him as my Savior.  I offer myself to Him, so I can be sanctified and set apart for Him.  I only have this ability because Jesus offered Himself for my sins first.  I can present myself before God, not as condemned but as redeemed—washed, renewed and filled with His Spirit.   

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS 

If this doesn’t seem like an equal exchange, that’s because it’s not.  God has an abundant provision of grace to give, but only has one Son, Jesus, who is Divine.  God gave the life of Jesus and raised Him from the dead so I could live.   

God actually gives more than one gift.  Jesus was His first gift to me, but God also brings the gift of the Holy Spirit into my life when I accept Jesus as my Savior.  The Holy Spirit fills my life with righteousness.  God has the given the gift that keeps on giving!  Once I present myself to God, I become a gift to Him.  In turn, He pours out the fruit of the Spirit in my life, which brings me nine more gifts (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control).  That’s a lot of gifts!    

Lord, today I am thankful.  I’m thankful that You are working in my life, and I acknowledge all that You do for me because of Your grace.   Thank You!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.