God as a Gift

I have recently heard a message on receiving," God as a gift", By Mark Driscoll. (Two enemies) To say the least this is a unusual concept. It is easier to welcome gifts from God. But to seriously see God as the gift, is a cranial paradigm shift. This is really a beautiful picture! That God offers us Himself. This is more than what the world can give, with all the riches and pleasures. The fame of prestige and notoriety can seem like a wave of endless joy and satisfaction. One cannot look at the rich and famous without a hint of envy. Obviously at varying degrees of envy. (Some are satisfied with their lot and are not moved by such glory.)

Living in America and being an American is a priceless commodity. Many foreigners desire our haven of endless indulgences and freedoms. We have countless people from all over the world trying to get into our country, legal or illegal. We are currently viewing the fading of wealth and prosperity for many. An Ideal that can be jaded.

Religion is the other counter part of dissatisfaction. It only brings a temporary relief to the doers and hearers. Religion most of the time points to duties and regulations that are impossible to fulfill and enjoy. This Religion always leads to pride and arrogance. Religion will hinder you from receiving the gift of God and will cause you to hinder others from receiving it as well.

Why the gift of God? Why is this so fascinating and amazing? Because the greatest gift we will ever receive is God. He gave us the gift of life in Him, through his Son Jesus Christ. This is the gift of God, that God wants us to know him and God wants to live in us, by Jesus Christ.

This is and always will be the most beautiful love story the world will every know. The love that God would offer up himself to a people that do not deserve or know Him. A people that do not want Him. A people that are sick and dying and do not even know this. The world's disease has blinded them to receive this gift. Religion prevents this freedom in Jesus because it is it's own Saviour and blinds you from your own depravity. But God in His kindness, Grace and Mercy opens our blind eyes so we can see and understand. So that we can see that our sickness is incurable and hopeless, unless we have a Saviour. And that Saviour is Jesus Christ. God's only begotten son, that who ever believes in Him, (Jesus). Shall not be destroyed, but shall be delivered from God's righteous wrath upon the Judgment Day.

This is the Gospel or Great News. God saves us from ourselves and the impeding, eternal judgment. God gives us salvation in Jesus. There is so much hope in Jesus Christ. God did not leave us to destruction. He gave us eternal life and hope In Jesus. If we believe that Jesus died and rose again on the Third day. And we believe that Jesus is God's only begotten Son, who died for our sins. If we declare that Jesus is Lord of Heaven, Earth and Lord over our own lives. And we repent from our sins and religiousness. And for the religious we need to understand that there are two people in the earth repentant sinners and unrepentant sinners.

There is no other God that we are talking about except the God of the Bible. Thank God for the gift of God. What about life on earth? God saves, delivers and takes care of our needs. Jesus first sermon on the mount shares these truths. God created us for relationship. God does not need us but we need Him. God is Sovereign and rules over all !!!