Gifted We’ve just experienced the week of “love,” with Valentine’s Day nestled right in the middle of it. Next to Christmas, this time is surely the most “giving” of times. It’s because where there is love there is giving. Depending on the budget and the degree of closeness in the relationship, the giving of a gift, from a flower or candy with a card to jewelry and beyond, is a token of the heart’s condition. Especially for those who have made this a lifetime vow, the gift reaffirms that promise and establishes an assurance that whatever challenges have threatened, there can be confidence that all is still right no matter what. It makes way for security in its present state and possibilities for further development of the relationship. Both the presenting and withholding of gifts are statements that directly influence ongoing expectations. The Father God set the standard for love’s expression. He loved us so much that His gift was His own Son. What we received in this Gift, though, was so much more than just a token of His heart towards us. It was the actual provision of everything we would need to qualify as His righteous children. No matter what we’ve done or how our hearts have served other passions, by receiving the Gift of Christ, we have an affirmation and assurance of love that establishes us in a secure future and hope. In Him we have everything needed for life and godliness quite apart from anything we’ve done on our own. As we receive this priceless Treasure, though, it comes with an expectation that we initiate that same expression of love in our every relationship. Where there may have been a need for someone earning our favor and goodness, the righteousness we’ve freely received now is shared with them as well. They don’t have to be right about anything to receive our gift of love and proactive mercy. The more we are cognizant of just how great His gift of righteousness is to us, so our hearts will be overflowing with this same generosity. Notes Receiving Christ is receiving God’s gift of love John 3:16 (Williams) 16 "For God loved the world so much that He gave His Only Son, so that anyone who trusts in Him may never perish but have eternal life. Gifts: From Adam – death; From Jesus – righteousness/Life Romans 5:17 (AMPC) 17 For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). To believe in Christ is to identify as God’s righteousness in Him Romans 5:8-9 (NLT) 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. To receive Him is to also receive His command to give love as it’s been received John 13:34-35 (NLT) 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Revelation of love received comes with the responsibility to give Luke 12:47-48 (Williams) 47 That slave who knows his master's wishes and does not get ready or act upon them will be severely punished. 48 But the one who does wrong without knowing it will be lightly punished. Much will be demanded from anyone to whom much has been given; yea, people will demand much more from anyone to whom they have entrusted much. To be in Him is to live in the realm of God’s gift – both receiving and giving – with the promise of life in mercy. Jude 1:21 (TLB) 21 Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you. Wait patiently for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. Overview: Giving is the greatest demonstration of love. God set the standard for loving by giving Jesus to be our sacrifice. Believing in Jesus is receiving Him as our gift of righteousness in deliverance from death. Those who have received much have a responsibility to give much. Jesus commanded us to love as He loved, freeing people from any guilt in a gift of righteousness. To be in Christ is to live in the realm of love, both receiving and giving freedom from guilt and condemnation. Prayer: Father, I have been drawn to You by Your goodness and mercy with the assurance that I am made right in Your presence. Clothe me in this righteousness and flood me with the revelation of its treasured gift to me in Christ. Empower me by Your Spirit to give as I’ve received and walk in the freedom of love imparted. Declarations: I have been delivered from the condemnation of sin in my flesh by the free gift of righteousness given to me by the love of God in Christ. As I walk in the liberty of this way of love I am empowered to reign in life with the very authority and nature of Christ. I keep myself in the gift of love by magnifying this nature in prayer and demonstrating it by giving as I’ve received. I am freed from any weight of strife or offense as I lay that all down as a sacrificed offering of love in righteousness. My greatest treasure of mercy and forgiveness is the source that I draw from in giving God’s love.