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Monday,
November 26, 2007
The Gift That Keeps
Giving
Romans
6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
The
wages for a life of sin is death, separation from our Father for eternity.
It’s literally a hell of a reward for all those that serve the devil and
spend their lives to satisfy their own desires of the flesh and neglecting
the will of our Father. Salvation is actually a gift given to all mankind,
sent forth from our Father and manifested to us by His Son, to deliver us
from all our destructions. Now the question each and every one of us needs
to answer is this; have we received this gift or have we neglected it and
are looking elsewhere for our answer?
John
1:10-12 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world
knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as
many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name: (KJV)
What
would it be like for you parents, to be able to have everything a child
would need to grow up healthy and mature, only to watch them neglect your
gift of love, and end up malnourished and sick? For those that live in cold
climates, to have coats and all the winter clothing that is needed for the
child, just to watch them walk out the door and not be dressed for the
weather. And yet with all that our Father has done for his people, for
their benefit, only to see how few receive the gift and walk in the
spiritual provisions He has provided for His children; how it must hurt Him
as well to see His people walk out into a cold dark world not properly
dressed and fed either. The plan is established, the gift given, His spirit
poured out on all mankind, now a matter of who is willing to receive it and
walk in the blessings afforded through this gift.
Ephesians
2:8-10 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. For we are
his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV)
There
is a perfect plan of salvation made just for you; a path of good works
which were drawn up like a blueprint for you to follow after; a free gift
for any and all that would receive it this day. We are His workmanship; and
what a piece of work we all are, and can continue to be, if we allow Him to
have His way with us. Some claim that salvation is not something we can
earn and therefore it is something we cannot lose. However, like with any
gift, some have taken their gift, and exchanged it for something else more
appealing to the lower nature and not to the new nature we received in
Christ.
Romans
1:22-25 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed
the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible
man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore
God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,
to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of
God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the
Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (KJV)
The
word ‘changed’ actually means to exchange. So instead of being content with
what the Lord has provided, they look elsewhere for their answer, and just
like clockwork the enemy is ready and waiting to give them a cheap
imitation of what the real gift can provide. So instead of letting the
truth set them free, they are overcome again with the subtle doctrines of
man and end up worshipping and serving their own lusts and desires, rather
than seeking the things of God and what He desires for them. It’s not that
the devil has the power to pull anyone out of the kingdom, but rather uses
slick underhanded methods to try and talk you out of it and get you to settle
for a far less inferior plan which in many cases gives the glory to man and
not to God. Don’t be taken in by these larger than life ministers who claim
they are God’s gift to mankind. In many cases what appears to be too good
to be true usually is.
1
Timothy 4:14-16 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee
by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate
upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may
appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in
them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear
thee. (KJV)
How
would you like it if you gave a gift to someone close to you, something
that was of great value, only to show up one day at their house and find it
discarded and thrown in the garbage? If you really knew the true value of
what you have been given and what you have access to, and the sacrifice it
took to get you this gift, you would give yourself wholly to it as well,
not holding back, but receiving all that is yours as well as sharing it
with all you come in contact with.
1
Peter 4:10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the
same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 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. (KJV)
As
with any gift it comes with an instruction manual so that you can keep it
operational and not void the warranty. This is a free gift given to you so
that you can partake of our Lord’s divine nature and continue to minister
words of life to those that are willing to let Him speak through you. So
what have you done with this gift? Is it alive and real today, or is it a
discarded memory of something many talk of, but not walk in?
Ephesians
4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the
gift of Christ. (KJV)
You
have been given the same measure of faith that Jesus Christ was given when
He walked this planet. He considers His church the pearl of great price and
was willing to die on our behalf. So today, are you holding fast to what is
rightfully yours, or have you neglected it? Some day we will have to give
an account of what we have done with this gift, and I pray that you will be
able to measure up and not be discarded as well.
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