“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Corinthians 8:12
Perhaps one of the most difficult parts about giving is figuring out what to give, or even what you can give. What can we give to Christ? Perhaps the words to a song written by Gary Lanier may express our thoughts concerning this: “How can I give Him a birthday present? He is so far away. How do I show that I really love Him? Words really cannot say.”
One of the best ways was demonstrated by Saul of Tarsus, just as soon as he opened up his heart to Christ as his personal Savior: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6) Jesus knew what He wanted from Saul and He knows what He wants from each of us. But do we want to do His will in this matter? If we try to force on someone something they don’t want, it hardly qualifies as being the good will of gift giving. So our first consideration should be, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
The task of giving is not complete until the gift has been received. God gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross to save us from our sins, but this gift isn’t ours until we personally receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Just believing that it all happened does not mean we have received the gift. You can believe someone has a gift for you, but you don’t have it until you receive it. Likewise, for us to give Christ a gift, it must be something that He will receive. And for you to receive His gift of eternal life, you must first be willing to receive Him as your Lord and Savior.
Nothing about giving and receiving, where Christ and man is concerned, has been established, until we have first exercised our faith in trusting Christ to save us, for: “…without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Apart from faith, nothing we have will please Him.
But after we have accepted Him as our Savior, by faith, here is a list of gifts that will please Christ:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2) Maybe you could give Him a body free of sinful defilements; a body clothed in modest apparel, to God’s liking, rather than that which pertains to the opposite sex (1 Timothy 2:9-10, Deuteronomy 22:5). Give Him your love, devotion, worship, and surrender to His call unto service. “Christ will this gift receive.”
SHARING
