Part 4 – Free gift. 

In this series, “Obstacles on the road to Calvary”, we see that on Calvary’s hill (Golgotha – site just outside Jerusalem where Christ was crucified), Christ finished the work needed to reunite fallen man with a perfect, Holy God. God, the Word, became flesh and died for the sin of the world. The one and only, perfect, sinless sacrifice to satisfy the penalty (death) for what sin had caused. 

[23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Roman’s 6:23)

Christ died. 

[14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14.)

Christ died…once. 

Christ cleared every obstacle between man and God. The curtain was torn, separating man and God. Christ’s perfect, sinless blood, paid the debt and purchased the sinner from the realm of death, to that of life. A “gift” to all that would receive it. 

A FREE GIFT

The subject of “free gift” covers a multitude of obstacles: pride, intellectual assent, individual performance, self righteousness and ego. They all lead to one of the biggies: bondage.

In the book Pilgrims Progress, by John Bunyan, we see a great example of bondage, keeping one from coming to Christ. If we are bound, we are not free. 

[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ( Galatians 5:1)

Doesn’t everyone love a free gift? No!

Haven’t we been taught, “it’s better to give than receive”? I was, it makes ME feel good. But when someone gives me a gift, I immediately think of how to reciprocate. It’s born from pride and self-righteousness. Most humans feel they owe a debt when receiving a gift and usually want to reciprocate. We all know, there really is no free lunch; it cost someone something. Many will ask: what’s the catch? 

My wife and I recently attended a small Christmas dinner for our bible study group and we thought…no gifts!  You guessed it, we received very personal gifts from a few of them, that cost them a lot of money and took a lot of time to make. Then, they paid the check in its entirety. We acted so appreciative and we were, but… we felt so terrible that we couldn’t reciprocate. 

Why?  Pride. We humans just can’t wrap our heads around something magnificent coming easy, without “our”effort. 

A “Free gift” – The Meaning in Scripture

“Free gift” is so easy for us to say, but what does it mean in scripture? Let’s break it down:

• “Free”: in nearly all of scripture, the word “free” means to let loose, go your own way, without obligation, as a slave set free. There’s an exception though.
• “Free gift”: The early writers used a different word that infers “Divine gratuity” whenever free is related to the noun “gift” or “offering”. “Free gift”, then infers something beyond what we have come to know it to mean. In every instance, it is a gift from God – a spiritual gift.

Not as if I gave you a puppy that cost me a great price, but a gift that I must humbly except without any work from me. One that expects nothing of me. It’s a gift, that in no way can be matched or repaid. Much like a beautiful sunset, a flower, or a precious child. Like the love of God, that laid aside His glory, entering into the physical realm to die for you and me. It’s beyond anything we could do and humbles us to just say wow and thank you!

χάρισμα chárisma, khar’-is-mah; from G5483; a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty:—(free) gift.

Christ, is the greatest of free gifts given to man to be reconciled, redeemed, justified, sanctified and brought back to God; a gift that we could never earn.

How could sinful man repay a Holy, sinless God?  He can’t, and God knows it. Therefore, God so loved us, He paid it all. 

Man can’t paint a sunset on the canvas of the sky, nor can he do anything to redeem himself. God so loved the world, that He became one of us, to pay for sin, that had separated us from Him.This, friends is the “free gift”: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Our Sin & Our Free Gift

Is there anyone that has ever lived that is not guilty of sin?

[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)

All men born after Adam, take on his nature (in Adam). Therefore, all will sin. We are not responsible for Adam’s sin, but because we are born with his nature, we will commit sins. Sin separates man from God and leads to death. 

[12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Roman’s 5:12)

If you admit that you have sinned, and you have, then you have a problem. You are separated from God. There are two types of people in the world:  those who have peace with God, or those who are enemies of God. Those who are dead to God, or those who are alive to God. You know who you are. Have you made peace with God through your own efforts, or have you allowed God to make peace with you “His way”? Have you attempted to reach up to God (religion) or have you allowed Him to reach down to you?

“The Catch”

[17] For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Roman’s 5:17)

Do you see this? By one man, Adam, brought sin. And by one man, Christ Jesus, (God in flesh), brings the gift of righteousness. Christ trades his perfect, sinless life for our sinful life! He lives our life and dies our death. In Him, by faith, we go where He goes. He dies, our debt is paid. He raises to life and we are raised to newness of life. We were dead now alive! With Him in heavenly places. 

[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ( Ephesians 2:4-6)

This is how God sees us now. This is our standing with God. We have peace with God now, through faith, trusting the finished work of Christ. 

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

If it’s earned than it’s no longer a gift. 

[6] And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6) 

Friends, 870,000 words of scripture point to and culminate in this beautiful, free gift. It’s finished, it cost Christ everything and is just waiting to be received. There’s nothing you have done that will keep you from receiving it. And you can’t “out sin” God’s grace. 

[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20)

Don’t reject it, for today is the day of salvation. It’s a “free gift” from the one that loves you like no other. It’s a perfect gift, that no other could give. (James 1:17)

Friends, don’t let anything stop you from receiving this glorious “free gift” that’s waiting for you. There’s no obstacle between you and Jesus Christ, the “free gift”. 

[14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14) 

You say: where is it? It’s right were you are. 

Call on Him today and you will be saved. 

Amen. 

[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Roman’s 10:12-13)

SINNER’S PULPIt”

Come in a sinner and leave a saint”