Gifts Given and Recieved

A thought popped into my head this morning about gifts.

Gifts are interesting things. I have been given many gifts in my life, mainly from relatives, sometimes by friends, but always from people I know. I once was offered a gift of the book of Mormon. I refused this gift because I knew the expectations of the person offering the gift, and could not in good conscience accept it, even though I have a fascination with such books.

Gifts are voluntary offers without conditions. We may accept a gift, or decline it. When we accept the gift is becomes our property and "non refundable." No court will allow the giver to claim it back as title has legally passed to the recipient.

When accepting a gift we recognise some things about the gift and the giver. First we recognise the value of the gift. Secondly we recognise the character of he giver, which is one reason some gifts are declined. Thirdly we recognise the motives of the giver, which is a second reason some gifts are declined. Fourthly, we recognise that the value of some gifts is sentimental, the gifts value is what it means or represents to "me."

So the accepting of a gift is not always a trivial matter. We accept gifts generally because we understand that the giver has noble (good) intentions and seeks to give use pleasure, and that there is no ulterior motive in the giving.

When we accept G-ds gift of eternal life we recognise at least three things about the gift. The gift has more than sentimental value - it is precious. We can use the gift. The gift is given for our benefit.

We also recognise some things about the giver. The giver is giving from good motives. The giver is giving so we may experience the joy of His gift.

But there is one more thing. To accept this gift is to change something about ourselves. This is a special gift. We are unable to accept this gift without changing a fundamental property of our nature. We recognise we NEED the gift.

We recognise this need only because of what has happened before we accept the gift. We have come to know G-d. When we have come to know who G-d is, and our relationship to Him, we have come to the point where we understand clearly, and often with a sense of terror, that only He can save us.

We therefore must ask Him to save us. So ask we do, and He grants us a gift. However, in act of asking for salvation, we gifted ourselves to Him.