The Free Gift Of Grace Series

Everyone likes to receive presents; however, there are some we could probably live without. Christmas time is when the majority of gifts are given, and it seems to be the occasion when some of the worst ones are purchased during those last minute shopping trips. A survey was conducted in which some individuals were asked what gifts were the worst ones to receive, and here is a brief list of some of the most common bad gifts: fruitcake, necktie, socks, underwear, membership to a gym given to a wife, and a nose hair trimmer. I am sure you could come up with a few to add to this list!

People like presents, especially good ones that are useful, and that reveal how the giver put forth some thought and effort into the purchase. In the Bible we are told of the best and most beneficial gift of all. The apostle Paul proclaimed, “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23b)! God offers everyone the free gift of eternal life, and the free gift of His grace to walk in spiritual victory. Even so, there are some individuals who have refused eternal life in the Son; and there are even those within the body of Christ who are not abiding in their God-given freedom.

The reason why some people are not living in victory is because they have not yet understood or received God’s grace. Those who have not fully received His grace are walking about in judgment and condemnation. For the “unbeliever” who has not accepted the gift of God, he or she is indeed condemned to eternal separation from the Lord (Is 59:2) and a fiery judgment (Mt 22:11-13). The Bible is clear in this matter. For the “believer” who has not fully comprehended the gift of God, he or she is living in bondage from a self-imposed form of condemnation or self-reproach.

God offers the free gift of His grace and a complete pardon from sin; however, His gift does no good just sitting there all wrapped up and looking pretty. God’s gift must be received and opened; and in our message this morning we are going to come to an understanding of what is entailed in receiving and benefiting from the greatest gift of all time.

Paul Shared God’s Gift of Grace

This morning, we’re going to look at some words shared by the Apostle Paul. Paul is someone who felt compelled to emphasize “the gift of God.” In both Romans and Ephesians (2:8, 3:7, 4:7) he taught extensively about the gift of God’s grace, for he believed that receiving this gift was essential for redemption unto God and eternal life. In Romans chapter five, Paul stressed in great detail the significance of what he called “the free gift.”

Right now, I want to invite you to stand with me in honor of the reading of God’s Word, as we read Romans 5:15-21:

15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.

17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this passage Paul emphasized the word “gift” six times. If we view the original Greek, there are two words from which the English word gift has been translated. When Paul spoke of the singular word “gift” he used the words dorea or dorema, which are simply translated as gift or bounty.(1) When he utilized the phrase “free gift” he used the word charisma, which by definition means “a favor with which one receives without any merit of his own,” and “a pardon of sin and eternal salvation.”(2)

Paul also directly mentioned “grace,” and he used the word charis, which means “good will, lovingkindness” and “favor.”(3) The words for “free gift” (charisma) and “grace” (charis) are interchangeable; therefore, when Paul spoke of the “free gift” (Rom 5:15, 16, 18) he was referring to the free gift of grace. In Ephesians 3:7, Paul declared, “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace” (3:7a NIV). The Bible teaches that God’s grace is a free gift that He offers willingly to those who will freely receive it.