Gifts of God!! - Part 2

The joy of receiving a gift, unwrapping it and seeing something that was far more than you could have imagined, is one of those highlights of the holiday season. I can recall a Christmas when I was in my early teens when it seemed that “Christmas” was all over. We had unwrapped all of our gifts and while I felt a little short-changed, I was still happy. Then, out of the blue, I was informed that there may be something else under the couch. I found a box there and lo and behold a brand new Winchester 12 gauge pump shotgun. Needless to say it was an awesome Christmas!!

God often does far more for us than we could imagine and so it is with our second gift - the gift of forgiveness. As we saw yesterday, repentance is an incredible gift - one that should never be undervalued even if it comes wrapped in sorrow and tears. The same verse that describes repentance as a gift from God, also mentions another fact.

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31)

Moving forward from the brasen altar in the Tabernacle, there was found a laver which had an important function in man’s approach to God. It was a place of cleansing. Filled with water, all who entered the house of God were required to pass by here and be washed and cleansed.

Repentance, the first command of John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, the disciples sent by the Lord before His death and Peter on the Day of Pentecost, has a natural follow-up. It is called forgiveness. By this wonderful gift, God removes from our record the penalty and memory of repented sins.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

Man can experience no greater joy than knowing that his sins have been forgiven and blotted out by the one he offended - God Almighty. Without this gift, man’s sinful condition remains constant before his Creator. With it, man can approach God with a conscience void of all fear and condemnation.

Unlike some of the other gifts from God, this one is one we have to choose to receive.

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43)

Forgiveness, and remission of sins, are gifts that have to be received by faith by the one to whom it has been given. It is not enough for someone to be granted forgiveness, they must receive the gift. Too many Christians are hobbled in their walk with the Lord, not because God not granted them forgiveness, but because they have refused to receive it.

Take a great step forward in your faith, and receive what God has offered to you! If God has forgiven you, then receive that forgiveness in Jesus name!!