God’s Gifts to Us Are Ours Forever
God’s gifts to us are ours forever, so let the celebration begin. That’s right, we don’t need to wait for heaven. In Ephesians 1, Paul spoke strongly to believers in the church there, telling them that they, (and we as believers who read his words now), were chosen and adopted for the praise of God’s glory.
It isn’t simple, and the people who do not believe will do what they can to frustrate us. But, if we thankfully praise our God, who gave us more than forty transformative spiritual and relational irrevocable gifts, that praise effectively changes the culture. It moves God to act on behalf of His people, proving His reputation to the world.
God’s gifts to us are ours forever.
I admit that several of the gifts are easier to feel joy about. Each time we experience God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness, the Holy Spirit makes our hearts overflow, and we respond with praise. This is as it should be. However, besides praise, we are called to imitate our Father. Extending mercy, grace, and forgiveness to those we encounter inside and outside of our families. This can be difficult.
To further develop godly character, we also need to praise him for responsibility, good works, patience, and self-control. If any gifts are guaranteed to have an impact in the world, these will.
How?
Though we hope that our giving, encouragement, and good works relieve suffering, these gifts may also do something much more subtle, that we may not individually, personally, recognize. Taken cumulatively, they will eventually force our opponents to admit they have no grounds to accuse us of wrongdoing.
Until that day, give thanks and glory to God for his irrevocable gifts of enjoyment, happiness, hope, future victory, and eternal life. They are ours forever.
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Ruth DeMaat
Heidi Kortman