“The Freest Gift”

     In a generation constantly solicited by sellers, God blesses His trusting children in Christ by sending us forth with the offer of the freest gift ever given.

     “By the righteousness of One, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life” (Romans 5:18).

     In both message and method, believers must declare that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus offers a gift for which the highest price has already been remitted.  “Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ” (I Peter 1:18-19).  God requires nothing of the hearer except the receiving of the Gift with the most serious of intentions: “With the heart, man believeth unto righteousness” (Romans 10:10).  We also require nothing, save the listener’s earnest attention to the most important of truths: “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). 

     The Apostle Paul rejoiced in his commission to proclaim the freest gift.  “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge” (I Corinthians 9:18).  Paul declares his remuneration in ministry to be the joy of seeking nothing as he offered all.  Indeed, the Apostle labored with his hands in order to be sure that anyone who heard his message knew that he had no ulterior motives in preaching the message of that Gift already paid for (II Corinthians 12:14; I Corinthians 4:12).

     The love of Christ “seeketh not her own” (I Corinthians 13:5).   “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).  Our reward is this, the purest joy of offering the freest gift.  May our Lord lead and enable us always to join Paul in his determination of unselfish devotion to the glory of God and the blessing of others: “I seek not yours, but you.”  Great fulfillment of heart awaits us as we go forth as self-sacrificial sheep in a generation of hungry wolves, exemplifying our great and good Shepherd who gave all to freely provide a gift far too costly for anyone else to afford.

“I have preached to you the Gospel freely.”

(II Corinthians 11:7)