FREE GIFTS OF GOD
The Bible, which is a free gift of God, tells us about other free gifts God makes available to us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Salvation and help from heaven are two of God’s greatest revealed free gifts
THE BIBLE IS GIVEN AS A FREE GIFT FROM GOD
2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 1:1-2. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST IS A FREE GIFT OF GOD
The Bible states: It is by grace you have been saved, through faith [in Jesus Christ]—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8; John 3:16).
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God” (Luke 18:9-14)
The biblical Word of God informs us: All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 3:23; 6:23). For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten sinless Son, that whoever repents and believes in his atonement for sin will not perish, but will receive the Holy Spirit and have eternal life. (John 3:3,16; Acts 2:38).
HEAVENLY HELP Of THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A FREE GIFT
The free heavenly gift of the HOLY SPIRIT and his gifts are not to “be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20).
The apostles of Jesus were filled with Holy Spirit and with power on the Day of Pentecost, as Jesus had promised (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4).
However, a sorcerer named Simon saw the Lord’s apostles Peter and John placed their hands on believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon offered the apostles money and said, “Give me this ability so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter replied: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” Besides, Peter told him his heart was not right with God; and he should repent in hope that the Lord may forgive him. (Acts 8:14-22).
WHEN WE ARE SAVED THROUGH JESUS GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT
After repenting and being saved by believing in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, we receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
The Holy Spirit gives us a diversity of free gifts (wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles and others) for the common good of believers in Christ; and for proclamation of the gospel of salvation to the world (1 Corinthians 12:4-; John 3:16). The Spirit helps us as repentant believers to love sacrificially as Christ loved; and the Spirit convicts sinners of their need to repent and believe in Jesus for salvation (John 16:8-9).
HEAVEN IS A FREE GIFT OF GOD
God works through the free gifts of his Son Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit to save and prepare us to live with God in heaven eternally. (John 14:2-3).
