God’s Three Greatest Gifts
God is the greatest Giver in the universe! And out of the greatness of His loving heart, He freely offers the greatest of His gifts to mankind.
Any human endeavour to merit these gifts is folly, and only reveals man’s unworthiness to receive them. They are free, and must be accepted as His gifts of sovereign grace.
Although God has given many gifts to men, all good and perfect gifts (Jas. 1:17), three of His greatest are of particular interest at this season of the year.
His Son
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
None but the Father is able to reveal the greatness of the Son of God, and this He has done in Hebrews 1:1-6, where He presents to us seven of the supernal glories of Christ.
He is the future Ruler of the universe — “the appointed Heir of all things.” He is to be a universal Potentate, with the heavens and earth under His rule. This is the Father’s declared purpose: to “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on Earth; even in Him” (Eph. 1.10).
He is the past Creator of the universe — “by whom also He made the worlds.” The chief agent of Creation is Christ the Son, “for by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Col. 1:16).
He is the eternal Son of the Highest, very God Himself — “being the effulgence of His glory and the expression of His substance” (J. N. D. Trans.). He possesses every divine attribute of God’s moral glory and being.
He is the Sustainer of the universe —”upholding all things by the word of His power.” He holds the mighty universes together, for “He is before all, and all things subsist together by Him” (Col. 1:17, J. N. D. Trans.). Every atom is in His mighty control, “In Him, all things hold together” (Confraternity Trans.).
He is the great Sin-Purger —”When He had by Himself purged our sins.” The greatness of sin in God’s moral universe He alone could put away to the infinite satisfaction of a holy God, and this He did! “But now once in the end of the ages hath He appeared to PUT AWAY SIN by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:26). How great is God’s gift of His Son!
He is the exalted Man in the glory of Heaven — for He “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” The pinnacle of universal glory is His portion right now! Men gave Him a crown of thorns and a cross! The Father has given Him a crown of glory and a throne! (Heb. 2:9).
He is the coming Saviour-King —He must and will return to earth for, “When He again bringeth in the Firstborn into the world He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him” (Heb. 1:6, A.S.V.).
This One is God’s great gift to the world, “that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have EVERLASTING life.” Great and eternal are the blessings for all who trust Him.
Accept the Gift and thank the Giver! “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).
His Spirit
“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5).
The greatest deed of infamy ever perpetrated by humanity was soon followed by another great heavenly gift, the Holy Spirit of God. Although, according to human reasoning, the slaying of the sinless Son of God on the cross might have been followed by sudden and eternal destruction from above, yet the God of mercy and grace continued to prove His great love to mankind by the sending of His Spirit. Within 50 days of Christ’s crucifixion, the Spirit of God descended from Heaven, thus fulfilling the promise of the Father and of the Son (John 14:16, 17, 26; 16:7).
God the Father, the omnipresent One (Eph. 4:6) is, as to His abode, in Heaven (Matt. 6:9). God the Son, likewise, though omnipresent (Matt. 18:20), is, as to His abode now, seated at the right hand of God (Heb. 1:3; 10:12). BUT, the Holy Spirit, also omnipresent, is, as to His abode, now dwelling here on the earth since the day of Pentecost.
Two specific revelations concerning His present abode in the world are taught in the New Testament. In a corporate aspect, He tabernacles in a structure of living stones (believers in the Lord Jesus Christ), making them the present habitation of God (Eph. 2:18-22; 4:13-16). In an individual aspect, He dwells in every child of God (1 Cor. 6:19). Blessed condescension of God to send from above His Spirit to indwell His people — the greatest gift from above now upon the earth!
His Word
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16). An infallible Book from the hand of God! A divine library of 66 books; yet one volume written by about 40 different men over a period of 1600 years. Nevertheless, it has a perfect continuity of historical sequence from the creation in Genesis to the new heavens and earth in Revelation.
This supernatural Book reveals the Person and the glory of God’s Son (2 Cor. 3:18). Its supreme purpose is to make us wise unto salvation, that the child of God may be complete (2 Tim. 3:14-17). What a glorious gift; what a majestic Giver!
As with the first two gifts, this one also is to be found within our hearts (Eph. 3:17. Gal. 4:6. Psa. 119:11), and is likewise offered by God “without money and without price.”
It is through His Word that the sinner is born again (1 Pet. 1:23). Only through feeding on the Word can the child of God hope to grow in the Christian life (1 Pet. 2:2). Furthermore, it is the purpose and work of Christ to sanctify and cleanse His Church by the washing of water by the Word. (Eph. 5:26).
Take these three great gifts of God without delay if you have never yet done so. Then may the possession of God’s Son, God’s Spirit, and God’s Word fill your heart with joy unspeakable both now and throughout life’s journey, to the praise and glory of our God and Saviour!