A gift is usually something ‘paid for’ by another and given free of charge – no strings attached. We do not earn or deserve a gift, otherwise it would be a payment or a reward. However, when a gift is given, it only becomes ours when we freely accept it.
God gave us the greatest of all gifts. He humbled Himself and became a man (Jesus Christ) and willingly went to the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the world so anyone who chooses may have everlasting life instead of judgement.
All that is left to receive everlasting-life is for us to simply accept it as a gift – by faith. We must understand that salvation is not a reward or a payment, (… it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph. 2:8-9). If we think we earned or deserved it, then we have not received it – everlasting life is a gift paid for by another (Christ). All we have to do is simply ‘believe’ the gift is ours and it becomes ours – forever. Furthermore, God does not take back His gifts. Once in our possession, it always remains in our possession – for eternity. We did nothing to gain the gift – we can do nothing to lose it. No one can steal it from us and we can’t return it to God.
John 3:16 states, ‘God so loved the world that He gave His uniquely born Son (Jesus Christ) that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.’
Don’t be one who eternally regrets declining the greatest gift ever given, when by accepting it is as easy as ‘believing’ that it belongs to us. As it is freely given – it must be freely received. (John 6:40)