2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for His Indescribable gift!
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 411
Indescribable: inexpressible (beyond words); indescribable (inexplicable), impossible to estimate
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1431
Gift: freely given, not acquired by merit or "entitlement."; expresses a brand of giving that highlights the beneficent desire of the giver
INDESCRIBABLE
This word 'indescribable' is used only once and that is here in 2 Corinthians 9:15. The King James Version (KJV) renders it 'unspeakable'. The English Standard Version (ESV) reads as 'inexpressible', while the New Living Translation (NLT) says 'too wonderful for words'.
HIS GIFT
Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19
(12) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
(15) But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!
(17) For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
(18) So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men.
(19) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Acts 15:11
On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Romans 9:16
So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
BORN AGAIN
In life, gifts are handed out either individually or jointly, like birthday presents (to the individual) or wedding presents (to the couple) or corporately (to the company). But the gift must be received on an individual basis, as well. We don't always receive the gifts given to us well. "I don't like this gift as much as I liked that other gift." "Do I have to participate?"
This applies Scripturally and spiritually, too. The gift of grace is given to everyone, but everyone must accept it on an individual basis. As Jesus explained to Nicodemus, "Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
Ezekiel 36:26 wrote, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." That is what happens when we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. God gives us a new heart when He applies the blood of His Son to our hearts. He puts a new Spirit in us when we receive the baptism of His Holy Spirit. Both Grace and Power are the gift from God. To receive only half of the gift is to cripple one's self spiritually. We need both to fulfill God's purpose, God's will, in our life.
John 3:4, 5
(4) “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”
(5) Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless anyone be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.
(6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
INDIVIDUAL ACCEPTANCE
John 1:12. 13
But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
To 'all who did receive' shows us that not all will receive the gift of God. Only the people who believe in His Name will receive the gift of God: Jesus Christ His only begotten Son.
1 John 3:8-10
(8) The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.
(9) Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God's seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
(10) By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
John 1:16
From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
Dear Lord,
I recognize that I am a sinner, that I have sinned against You and broken Your laws. Forgive me of my sins and make me Your child. You are so good to me. Thank You for Your grace on me, for saving me. Thank You for this Indescribable Gift which You have given me. Thank You for removing my hardened heart and replacing it with a new heart: a heart that loves You and wants to serve You; a heart which rejoices in Your Word and Your presence; a heart that wants to share You with everyone I meet.
Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your precious Holy Spirit, Who empowers me with boldness to speak Your Word. Help me to be more gracious, more loving, more merciful to those around me, to shine Your Light and Your Love into a dark and dying world. Give me words to speak. Open my mouth and fill it with Your Word.
In Jesus' Name, I pray
Amen.
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