Handing Out Gifts

I love to get presents. Who doesn't? I really like the unexpected “just because” gifts. I have a friend, Vanessa (you know who you are,) who gives those kinds of gifts. She gives the “I saw this and thought of you” kind of prizes. They are always unpredictable and so much fun to receive.

Well, to my amazement, I found out Paul gave out such presents.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-12

The words “Spiritual gift” comes from the literal translation “grace gift.” Paul wanted to come to the Romans and, SURPRISE, he wanted to give them a grace gift. Now I’m not taking anything away from the theologians and linguistics who have translated this like theologians or a linguistics would. But I think the Romans of the churches that received this letter got a little excited. I think they understood it to mean…Paul wanted to come to them and give out grace gifts. And who wouldn't want to get in line for those kinds of presents?

We need to give out grace gifts too. You know that unexpected note or card, or that hug of friendship when we’re not coming in or going out, or that “yay” with those who celebrate, or the “I’m praying for you” to those who are struggling, or celebrating with our brothers or sisters in Christ when they have a spiritual victory. Those are the kinds of spiritual presents we can give and should give. Those are the kind of gifts that we need to receive from each other. Those encouragements are gifts we can give because of the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

Oh, and I like that Paul realized that the giving of grace gifts would not be one sided. He said when he got together with the Christians in Rome that he wanted it to be a grace prize giving party. Well, he didn't say it in those words. He said he would encourage them and they would encourage him.

I can just picture their joyous meeting. I can just imagine the exchange of “God was there” stories. I can pretend to hear all of the answers to prayer testimonies. There would be excitement together and crying together and laughing together as they encouraged each other.

So let’s have a grace gift giving party.

You are invited.

And I will be handing out presents!

You are. You Really Are.

…through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-6

I like the way Paul starts a letter. Wouldn't you feel special if you got a letter that started like this?

You are favored by Jesus, Himself (received grace).

 

You have been especially chosen by Christ for a specific job (apostleship.)

You cause others to want to follow Christ (bring about the obedience of the faith.)

You are accepted into an otherwise closed circle of family because of the authority of Christ (among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake.)

You have been invited by Jesus to this extraordinary place in this fellowship (you are also called of Jesus Christ.)

You are personally loved by God (all who are beloved of God.)

You are different from everyone else because you are like Christ (called as saints.)

You are one of God’s favorite (grace to you.)

You are an integral part of this family of God and because of you it is whole and brings a feeling of completeness (and peace.)

Well, we have received this letter so these words are implied as for us too. You are special in God’s eyes. He has a wonderful plan just for you. Jesus Christ through Paul’s letter speaks to us individually not just to the whole group but directly to you and me. This is what God thinks about me. This is what God thinks about you.

There are just some times in our lives we need to be reminded of the special place we have in God’s heart. Thanks to Paul we have this as our starting reference point.

Wow, what a way to comfort and encourage someone. It reminds me of that quote from the book, The Help, when the help is reassuring the child in her care: “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” (Kathryn Stockett)

God says to you and me, “You are loved. You are chosen. You are my favorite.”

You are. You really are.

Only Believe

During our past Vacation Bible School a mom asked me how a parent knows when their little one is capable of understanding Jesus’ substitutionary death for sin. And when is the child ready to commit his/her life to accept Him and believe in Him. Well, she didn't say it in those words. She said, “How do you know when children are ready to ask Jesus into their heart?”

Well the simple answers are:

1.       Are they asking questions about their relationship with Christ?

2.       Are they aware that their disobedience is sin?

3.       Do they know the only way to heaven is through Christ?

These kinds of discussions with parents are an indication that the child understands the salvation concept.

I told the mom that I, myself, accepted Jesus as my Savior at the age of about six years old. My mom and dad having been saved as young adults didn't know that they were supposed to write the date down in my Bible. In fact they weren't sure that it was even possible that a child could understand. But I believed and it has stuck all these many years. Did I understand everything about Jesus at that time? No. (I still don’t.) Did I believe as I learned more about Him? Yes. (I still do.)

But I did caution the mom that as the child gets older he/she may forget some of the exact events of their faith moment. And that is natural and OK. Because salvation is not based on what we remember it’s based on belief in what Jesus did not what we did and do.

 It’s a gift of God not by our own works…Ephesians 2:8. 

As I get on my soapbox now, I think some children and adults get confused by us older Christians because if we’re not careful we will add stuff to the salvation requirements. And if we are not careful we will be the direct cause of them doubting their salvation.

Requirement 1. If we agree and acknowledge with our speech that Jesus is the Son of God and our means for salvation from our sins. If we believe and entrust our now and future with all our mind, emotion, and will that God the creator of all things raised Christ from the dead as our substitute for sin then we are saved from the consequences of our sinful nature. We are saved and rescued from the power and the consequence of sin in our lives forever. Romans 10:9

Requirement 2. There are no other requirements.

At the age of 14 when I was told by well-meaning Sunday School teachers and pastors and visiting evangelists that:

 If you don’t remember the exact date of your salvation you probably aren't…If you don’t remember the exact words you prayed to accept Christ you probably didn't… You can be saved in your head and not your heart…If you didn't cry because of your realization of your sinfulness you probably weren't serious…If you didn't come forward in church and talk to the pastor it’s probably not real….etc.…

That was a little confusing to a teenager who asked Jesus in their heart at 6 years of age. I didn't know the date as I said earlier.  My mom didn't write it in my Bible and I didn't know I was supposed to recall the date just that I did have a moment. I didn't remember the exact words just the intent of my heart. I didn't realize that you could believe with only your head and not your heart because I lumped it all together with my belief. I didn't cry I just trusted and believed. I didn't go forward in church. My mother led me in a simple prayer at home. I wasn't fitting their plan of salvation so I was feeling doubtful. Until a Godly visiting missionary asked me what I believed to be true about Christ. I told him I believed that Jesus was God’s son come to earth. He died on a cross to forgive my sins. He was buried but actually rose from the dead and went to heaven to sit by God the Father. And that He would return to collect His children and take them to heaven to be with Him forever. Then the wise old missionary asked me the one question that my soul needed to hear, 

                                                 “What more do you need to be saved?”

Nothing

Even if I don’t fit other Christian’s definition of how one comes to belief. I just have to fit Christ’s definition.

If I forget everything, my salvation is not based on my memories but on Christ’s promise.

       I only have to believe. 

Only believe.