The Greatest Gift!

The Greatest Gift!

Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!
2 CORINTHIANS 9:15 AMP

Life is measured by the impact it makes. Life is also measured by its contribution to human existence. By human standards, we speak of men like Martin Luther King Jr. We speak of women like Mother Theresa. These people went over and beyond the regular call of duty and spent their lives on behalf of humanity. We remember them today, not on the basis of their names or talents, but by what they gave. The same principle applies in today's extract.

We also see a reference to a gift, maybe the greatest gift ever given. In the example of Martin Luther King given above, he gave his life in the course of serving humanity; in fact, his life was taken prematurely when he was shot and killed. He didn't plan to die the way he died, but he was human and limited. As much as he did, not everyone liked him. When you look at today's extract, there is also a gift, this time also, of a life, but the big difference is that this gift was given willingly, freely and with love so deep that the recipients can never fully understand it's height or depth.

The gift given is the seal of salvation,  redemption and eternal life for all who accept it. The gift was given willingly, even when the recipients didn't care. The gift is valid for all time, as long as there is time. Through that gift, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence; because of that gift, we now have access to the riches of God's grace and power. By that gift, we can stand before God and request for anything in the name of that gift. No wonder Paul could thank God for this gift, because he himself was a recipient and beneficiary of that gift.

One warning though: every gift by God has conditions. No matter how much I love the gift, it only works for me if I accept Him as Lord and Saviour and allow Him reign and rule in my heart. The gift is eternal in scope, and one day, grace will be suspended and judgment will be applied. That gift will be the basis of judgment. If the Lord were to demand an accounting today, what would be my response to his gift? What would be your response? His time of favour is here.