Jesus confused the woman at the well by asking her to give him a drink. Jesus added shock to the confusion by responding, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)”
Oh, how different life can be when we know the gift of God!
Like a little child staring at the boxes under the Christmas tree, trying to imagine what might be inside, let you mind explore the limitless possibilities of the gifts God has for you. What is the gift of God?
General Answer: God gives every good thing!
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
If it is good, it is a gift from God!
12 Specific (and incredibly valuable) Gifts from God
Eternal Life– The ultimate reward of living forever is a free gift from God!
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Repentance– Our turning toward God is a gift from God.
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Faith– Faith is both a command and a gift. We can nurture it and put it into practice, but we can’t create it.
Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
New Heart– Self-help might give us a new perspective but only a miracle can give us a new heart.
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Righteousness– Righteousness doesn’t come from anywhere else but God. There is no one righteous (Romans 3:10, Isaiah 64:6). When I do right, it is a gift.
Romans 5:17For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Victory Over Sin and Death– Sin and death are the natural condition for humanity. Victory is a gift.
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit– God has given us the Holy Spirit and all the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Ministry– The ability to serve others and contribute in meaningful ways is a gift, not from us but from God.
1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Enjoyment of Life– If we decided to do nothing else but enjoy life without God, we would fail. It is more than a choice we make; it is a gift we receive.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
Wisdom– We can study to gain knowledge but only God can give wisdom.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Rest– We can take time off, get a massage, or sleep in, but only God can give the rest we need.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Himself– God’s generosity is not complete with the gift of every good thing; he gives himself.
Galatians 1:3-4 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
Seek to know the gift of God! Seek to know the giver! Experience God’s gifts in the full glory of the way he intends them to be received.