The Gift

Newsletter #252 - October 1999 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

We should always remember to thank Father for His gifts.. In many cases, the word gift is found in the KJV New Testament is from the Greek word "charisma" (khar-is-mah). This Greek word is also found in the English language today. Christians should have a charisma about them. When the walk into a room, the room actually lights up and that charisma may be felt by others in the room. In the Greek language charisma means gratuity. One may think of gratuity as a gift for service rendered. Have you done anything for the Lord lately? God's gifts are a result of what you do in service to Him. That, my friends, is the key to prayers being answered. When Father gives a gift to one of His children, He expects that child to share that gift with others. This is one case where it is better to receive, and it is better to give. There is one gift that is free for the asking. This is the gift of grace and salvation to all who will believe. What about those that died before Christ died on the cross for that free gift? Did God make this free gift available to only some of His children? Let's begin our study in 1 Peter.

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

The sufferings you endure for Jesus Christ will bring blessings upon blessings.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Christ is the Just. We are the unjust. We are not worthy of God's salvation to those who believe. That is why this gift may be considered free; however, don't you ever forget the was an awesome price paid by Jesus Christ so you could enjoy this gift.

1 Peter 3:19 By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

God does not show favoritism towards some of His children over others. Soon after His crucifixion Christ went to teach those that had died before His blood made salvation, as we know it, available. May belied and were brought to Father.

1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

God loves all His children. Christ went to those who were on the wrong side of the Gulf, and He preached to them affording them the same opportunity for salvation that you and I have today.

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.

Jesus is on the right hand of God, and He is you Advocate. God is fair. Do you want further documentation that Christ went to the dead?

1 Peter 4:5 Who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

Do you want to tell God what He should do concerning His children? The word quick means living. God is the Judge, and He doesn't distinguish between those that are living in the flesh and those that aren't. He is more concerned about your spiritual well-being.

1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

God is fair. Jesus preached the Gospel to those that died before His crucifixion, and they will be judged the sames as you and I.

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Charity means love. Love for your Father and your brothers and sisters covers a multitude of sins. Do you have any sins you need covered?

1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Here we find the Greek word charisma. When you receive a gift from God, He expects you to share it with your deserving brothers and sisters. The abundant blessings of God will follow. Don't help a brother or sister and complain about it. Blessings won't follow.

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

If you are going to share the gift God has given you with others, be sure you are sharing Father's Word, not your own words. God's Word saves souls. The word's of men don't. It is not God's will that any of His children should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Men that speak their own words with falsehoods are dangerously getting in the way of God's will. Let's turn to the Book of Romans as we continue our study concerning the Gifts of God.

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

God is not One to change His mind. Once He gives you a gift, its yours. You may turn away from him; however, He will never turn away from you. If you turn away from Him, you expect your gift to be diminished.

Romans 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

The disobedient children written of in God's Word are examples that bring some to see the light.

Romans 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.

God does not play favorites. He even scattered some of His children that all could find mercy through His Son Jesus Christ.

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

Do you want wisdom and knowledge? Work for both by studying His Word. Father's judgments and ways are not to be questioned by man.

Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?

There isn't an entity in the universe that has or should try to give advice to our Father. He doesn't need any help. He is the Potter; we are the clay. Don't ever question that which He has fashioned.

Romans 11:35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? 36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Your Father is the One that controls everything. If things aren't going well in your life, I suggest you inventory your relationship with Him. If you work for God and please Him, the gifts and blessings will follow. How are you doing, friend? In closing let's turn to Chapter 5 of this same Book.

Romans 5:13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come.

Adam brought sin ito the world; the blood of Jesus brought freedom.

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Have you invited Him into your life? Do you want charisma for you and your family? Think about it.

Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

The free gift brings forgiveness of sins. We all fall short including myself. Don't follow this man or any other man. We all need forgiveness. We all need Him. We all need His gift.

In His service,
Arnold Murray