PROVERBS 18: 16 – A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great (NIV)
Happy Easter to every one of you that is reading this exhortation of encouragement. Indeed, Christ is risen. Hallelujah! May the resurrection power that quickened the mortal body of our Lord Jesus Christ, quicken every good thing that is dead in your life in Jesus name. What a wonderful opportunity to talk about the wonderful gift that is associated with the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this last in the series on our theme skills and gifts, we would be looking at how His death has brought gifts of salvation that money cannot buy. Through His death and resurrection, we have the gifts of eternal life. Therefore, it is not of work that any should boast. The bible says in Eph. 4: 8 that “this is why it says: When He ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people” (NIV). Also, in 1 Pet. 1: 3 – 9, we read that through His resurrection Christ has given us new birth into a living hope. What a promise. My prayer is that you would not lose your hope in Him. Amen
Indeed, salvation is the greatest gift from God to mankind through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, which unfortunately many have failed to accept and some that have accepted have failed to appreciate the full extent of its message.
There are many differences between earthly gifts and the gifts of salvation. The gift of salvation is permanent, and if well nurtured can never perish like all other earthly gifts that would perish over time. I cannot imagine any human gifts that would not perish, at best may last a lifetime as in some cases such as gifts of houses. Any other gift is generally of very short life spans. Not only would earthly gifts perish, but it also diminishes in values with time. Many gifts such as houses, cars, clothes and to mention a few would not only experience wear and tear, but would eventually become outdated. Praise God because the gifts of salvation are new every day (Lam. 3:23) and increases in values with passage of time. The bible says in 1 Pet. 1: 3 -4 says that He has given us an inheritance that can never perish or fade “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (NIV).
Another major difference between earthly gifts and the gifts of salvation is that all earthly gifts are only useful in this terrestrial earth. However, the gift of salvation is not only associated with abundant life in the earth but also heavenly and associated with eternal life. The bible tells us in I Cor. 15:42 that “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable …” (NIV).
Since salvation is a gift, then no one should boast about it but give praise to God for the gift. The bible makes it clear in I Cor. 15: 31 that “therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” We are saved by His grace and not by the works of our hands. In Eph. 2: 8 the bible says that “for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (NIV).
Beloved what are you doing with the gifts of salvation that you have been freely given? Would you let His death and resurrection be in vain over your life? May the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ not be in vain over your life. Amen.
Happy Easter.
Shalom.
Dr. Yinka Okude
Parish Pastor
RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton
HYMN: PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN
