When someone brings us a gift, the normal course of action is to receive the gift and thank the giver. At that point, it is ours.
The giver has already paid for the gift. They do not require reimbursement. It is not on loan. It is permanent. We are free to do with it what we will.
For our benefit and understanding, I believe Scripture depicts crucial (as in eternally consequential) Biblical truths as simple easily understood pictures.
There are plenty of things in Scripture in which many take differentiating views, or that we wrestle with to understand. In his second epistle, Peter acknowledges this:
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. - 2 Peter 3:15-16
However, there is one thing in which there is no ambiguity on God’s part. And that is the salvation of our souls. The Scriptures speak clearly about this.
God is not the author of confusion (ref. 1 Corinthians 14:33). He does not speak in mysteries and riddles about eternal matters of salvation. He lays it out plainly.
And yet, we make it difficult in our minds. We tend to snatch the complex out of the jaws of the simple.
Sadly, when confronted with the simplicity of salvation (as a gift), pride and unbelief rear their ugly heads.
We cannot acknowledge or see how gaining eternal life is as simple as accepting a gift. But, the Scriptures say that it is.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Ephesisans 2:8-9
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 6:23
In the latter verse, Paul makes a very important distinction between wages (something for which we work to obtain) and a gift (something for which we do not work to obtain).
What is the nature of a gift? In this article, we will assume the normal transaction of a gift. And that is what it is - a transaction.
A line in the 2nd stanza of the popular Christian hymn, Heaven Came Down puts it this way:
And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came, and took of the offer of grace He did proffer, He saved me, O praise His dear name!
Merriam-Webster defines a gift as “something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation”.
A gift is willingly given in love and affection.
There is no obligation on the part of the recipient. There are no strings attached.
A gift is complete and permanent at the time of giving. There is no intermediate stage. There is no “working it off”.
But when it comes to salvation, many cannot accept that. It’s either disregarded as too easy (unbelief) or that we must DO something to earn it (pride).
Many sincerely and diligently try to keep the commandments, be faithful to a certain church, observe prescribed traditions and rituals, or as the song goes “get a little help from their friends” above to put in a good word, hoping to show God they are righteous enough to gain a place in Heaven.
So the question to ponder is, “How would we know if or when we’ve done enough?”
What would you think about this scenario:
It’s your birthday.
A wealthy family friend, who delights in using his wealth to bless others, bought you an exceptional and valuable gift and carefully wrapped it.
When the celebration time came, your friend was so excited to present this gift to you.
Imagine the surprise and hurt when you refused the gift. You explained that you were ashamed that you could never pay for such an expensive gift. You felt thay should find someone more worthy.
The friend insisted that it wasn’t a matter of being worthy or being able to pay for it. It was simply a gift of love. All they wanted you to do is accept the gift.
But, you couldn’t believe that.
You still refused because you couldn’t get it out of your head that you were not worthy to receive such a gift and would then owe them more than you could ever pay.
No amount of persuasion could move you. So, the friend left with great sorrow and disappointment because you refused to receive the gift they so lovingly prepared for you.
We would consider such a person as foolish. Yet, that is exactly what so many do when God offers them eternal life (salvation) as a simple gift.
When does a purchase become a gift, when it is purchased, or when it is received?
The inference in the story above is that because the intended gift is rejected by the intended recipient, it remains a purchase.
It only becomes a gift when it is accepted. Then it becomes the possession of the recipient with no further obligation. There is nothing further that needs to be done to earn it or to keep it.
If salvation/eternal life is truly a gift as clearly portrayed in scripture, why do so many continue to insist on trying to pay for it? Two words: Pride, Unbelief.
That would cease to fit the definition of a gift.
As simple as saying Thank you
By thanking the giver, we accept (through faith/believing) that the gift of eternal life (salvation) is ours. We do not doubt that we own it in full.
Just as we would thank someone for a birthday or Christmas gift, thanking God for His GIFT of salvation acknowledges our receipt of his gift.
2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable GIFT.
For those who think they must do something, here is what Jesus said when he was asked what must be done to “work the works of God”, he gave this simple answer,
“This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on him whom he hath sent.” (Reference John 6:27-29) That’s it.
Finally, we can know, with absolute certainty, that we have the gift of eternal life (salvation).
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Conclusion
Eternal Life (salvation) has been purchased by the shed blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary and is offered as a gift to all who would receive it.
Once it is accepted, it is the immediate and complete possession of the recipient forever.
Receiving a gift does not depend on the worthiness of the person or the ability to pay for it.
Keeping the gift does not depend on anything we can do.
We can know that we possess it with 100% certainty.
There is no alternative way to obtain it mentioned in scripture.
God wants all the Glory for the purchase of the salvation/eternal life he intends to give to anyone who will receive it.
Unlike earthly gifts, once it is received, it cannot be sold, given away, discarded, or stolen.
Most will reject or neglect it because of unbelief or pride (ref. Hebrews 2:1-4).
And yes, I hear all those “Well, what about James?” shouts out there. We’ll get to the role “works” play concerning Salvation and the Christian life. I promise …
Great presentation. But why didn't you mention all the Bible verses that call it a gift? Just kidding. There are thousands of verses about it. This recogniton is unique to the Christian gospel. Other religions deny the free gift so they can control their adherents by imposing repayment systems.