Understanding the Gifts of God

As we explore the gifts of God and it’s great value and benefits for mankind, it is only proper that the gifts we receive from God be used for the benefit of others and to the glory of God the giver. God’s gifts are not for our own selfish reasons such as profit for oneself, for we “received free” and we are under obligation to “give free.” (Matt 10:8) The greatest gift that one can offer to another is the true understanding of God’s Word, for this can lead those who receive the Word to everlasting life. (John 6:26-27) Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:!7) As to receiving gifts from God, He is the most generous in giving, allowing both the righteous and wicked to benefit from the sunshine and rain. (Matt 5:45) In fact, He gives to all of us life and breath and all things. God’s gifts, including food and drink and seeing good from one’s hard work, are for our enjoyment. But as we are enjoying our life, let us not forget the fatherless, the widow, and the poor.

When the Israelites were harvesting their crops, they were not to reap the edges of their fields completely nor to glean their fields, olive trees and vineyards, for the gleanings were for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow. In turn God blessed them in all the works of their hands . (Deut 24:19-21) We as Christians are not only obligated to help the poor through giving material gifts, but we also can give our time and abilities to edify and build others up mentally and spiritually, which brings God’s blessings.

One of God’s gifts is the holy spirit. The gift of the holy spirit not only brings revelation and understanding of God’s will but also energizes us to accomplish things in accord with that will. The holy spirit acts as a driving force that moves and impels us, even as Mark says the spirit “impelled” Jesus to go into the wilderness after His baptism. (Mark 1:12) The holy spirit can be like a “fire” within us, causing us to be “aglow” with that force, in a sense building up pressure in us to do certain works. When we receive God’s gift of the holy spirit, the power of the spirit affects our minds and hearts so that we can cooperate with it’s active force given us.

The holy spirit is a free gift from God. The free gift which He gladly grants to those who sincerely seek and request it. (Acts 2:38) A right heart is the key factor (Acts 15:8), but knowledge and conformity to God’s requirements are also essential factors. (Acts 5:32; 19:2-6) God imparts the holy spirit as a gift to us, enabling us to avoid the degrading works of the flesh and to cultivate instead the fruitage of the spirit, namely, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:16-25) The holy spirit is a sure guide and supplies power beyond that which is normal, aiding us to fulfill our God-given assignments regardless of the pressures brought against us.(John 16:13)

As joint heirs with Christ, who are due to be raised up from the death in a spiritual body bearing His heavenly image, we should live on earth as “one spirit” in union with Him as our Head, not letting the desires of immoral tendencies of our flesh be the force controlling us, such a thing even resulting perhaps in our becoming as “one flesh” with a harlot. (1Cor 6:15-18) Jesus assured us the that the holy spirit would teach us all things and bring back to our minds the things He had taught us as well as help us to make a defense even before rulers. (John 14:26; Mark 13:9-11)

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding are also gifts of God. He actually invites us to pray for the gifts of wisdom and knowledge, as Solomon did. (James 1:5) Nevertheless, to gain knowledge, effort in studying what God has made available by the gift of His Word is required. (Prov 2:1-6) But a study of God’s Word in itself does not guarantee receiving God’s gifts of knowledge and wisdom. True knowledge and wisdom are available only through Jesus Christ and with the help of the holy spirit. (1 Cor 2:10-16)

The gift of Godly wisdom serves as a protection and a guide in the way of life. (Eccl 7:12) The wisdom that stems from God is distinctly different from worldly wisdom, which is foolishness from God’s standpoint and also harmful in that it leaves God out of account.(1 Cor 1:18-21) But the wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical.” (James 3:17)

God’s greatest gift of love and undeserved kindness was in giving His Son that ‘whoever should believe in Him might have the gift of life’ would not limit the application of the ransom only to those whom God chooses for the heavenly calling. (John 3:16) Jesus has “been tested in all respects like ourselves [his spirit brothers], but without sin.” Therefore He can sympathize with the weaknesses of us who are conscientiously trying to serve God; and His associate kings and priests have been tested in the same way. (Heb 4:15-16)

God’s grand purpose is founded on and centered in His Son, Jesus “has become to us gifts from God.” Carefully concealed in Him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. (Col 2:3) Only through Jesus and by faith in Him, can salvation and the gift of life be attained. God’s undeserved kindness in providing His Son as a ransom sacrifice is a priceless gift, and those exercising faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice can thereby gain the gift of eternal life. (Rom 6:23) This indescribable gift of God evidently includes all the goodness and loving-kindness that God extends to us through Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 9:15)

Through exploring some of the gifts of God, we can come to a true understanding that every word that comes forth from God is in fact a truly great gift. From the time we take our first breath to adulthood to everlasting life. Apart from God, man could not exist, for we originated from God and God made man in his own image.