The 5 Gifts From God And Why They Matter

We all desire gifts, especially when they come from someone we love. God, our Heavenly Father who loves us infinitely, has gifted each of us special blessings that bring meaning, guidance, and fulfillment to our lives.

If you’re short on time, the 5 gifts from God are life, free will/freedom, Jesus Christ & salvation, the Holy Spirit & spiritual gifts, and talents/skills.

In this comprehensive guide, we will uncover the meaning and significance behind God’s 5 priceless gifts, why He has generously lavished them on us undeserving children, and how to cherish these gifts everyday through a close walk with God.

The Gift of Life

The miracle of human life is truly one of God’s greatest gifts. From conception to birth, the intricate development of a new human being is awe-inspiring. The complexity of DNA, the building blocks that determine who we are, is astounding evidence of an intelligent Creator.

As the Psalmist declared, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). What an incredible privilege it is to participate in God’s creative work through the gift of life!

With life being such a precious gift, we as Christians are called to value its sanctity. All human life is sacred, as we are all made in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). Followers of Christ should lead the way in defending and protecting life from conception to natural death.

As God’s stewards of life, we must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, including the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly. Our voices and our votes matter when it comes to upholding the sanctity of life!

Living life to the fullest for God’s glory

Since life originates from God, we can live it most fully by centering our lives around Him. He alone gives meaning and purpose to this brief yet deeply meaningful journey on earth. As His children, we are called to love Him and serve others with the gifts and talents He has entrusted to us.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). When we bring glory to God in how we live each day, we find joy and satisfaction that the world cannot provide.

Living fully also involves number of key choices and disciplines: nurturing our relationship with Christ through prayer and Bible study, active participation in a faith community, expressing gratitude intentionally, pursuing integrity, extending forgiveness, investing in family and friends, using our time well, caring for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and being wise stewards of our finances, time and abilities.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” Jesus said in John 10:10. Experiencing the abundant life He offers is possible when we wholly devote each day to honoring God and serving others.

The Gift of Free Will

God has given humans the incredible gift of free will – the ability to make our own choices and direct our lives. This gift allows us to determine our own path, for good or for ill. While free will opens the door to sin and suffering, it also makes virtues like mercy, justice and love possible.

Let’s explore the gift of free will and why it matters.

The Power to Choose Our Path

Unlike animals or objects which act on instinct or predetermined programming, humans can consciously evaluate options and make decisions. With free will, we can set goals, develop talents and relationships, and choose our words and actions.

While influenced by outside factors like family and culture, the final choice resides within us. As beings created in God’s image, we share in a tiny way His ability to originate thought and creativity.

This means our choices have real weight and significance. For example, how we treat others can uplift them or inflict harm. We shape our character through small acts of courage or cowardice. And by freely loving and serving God and others, we develop virtue.

Without free will, none of this would be possible. Our lives would be meaningless.

Exercising Wise and Righteous Judgment

Free will allows us to make wise, moral choices that please God, benefit others and conform to natural law. A just judge carefully weighs evidence before pronouncing a verdict. A physician prescribes treatments based on his best judgment to restore health.

Likewise, God wants us to use our freedom judiciously and for the good.

But because of mankind’s fallen nature, our judgment can be clouded by sinful habits and cultural biases. That’s why it’s crucial to form our consciences through prayer, moral reasoning and applying timeless principles like the Ten Commandments.

This equips us to make upright decisions amid the complexities of daily life. Scripture says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

When tougher choices arise with competing goods, we can always seek God’s wisdom. As James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all”. With practice, the gift of free will enables us to better align our lives with truth.

Submitting Our Wills to God in Obedience

Since human will is prone to selfishness and error, God asks us to voluntarily submit in obedience to His perfect will. This surrender brings blessings, just as staying within proper boundaries benefits children. Jesus modeled such obedience by praying “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

God never compels us to disobey our consciences. But as we grow in faith, we gain the freedom to trust Him more. His commands become less onerous and more desirable. We begin to understand His higher purposes at work.

Though the process can be difficult, Scripture promises, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Freely embracing God’s will, while retaining our personal agency, brings great joy and peace. His plans for us are good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). By making His desires our own, we enter into the life we were created for – one of purpose, meaning and eternal fellowship with Him.

The Gift of Jesus Christ & Salvation

God’s ultimate display of love by sending His Son

God, the loving Creator, demonstrated the pinnacle of compassion by sending His one and only Son into the world (John 3:16). Though mankind rebelled against God, He still desired a relationship with us. Sending Christ was the greatest revelation of God’s grace and mercy in human history.

Jesus left His heavenly throne to become the Word incarnate over 2,000 years ago (John 1:14). His willingness to temporarily set aside divine privileges and take on flesh represents selfless and sacrificial love unparalleled in the annals of time (Philippians 2:5-8).

Through His life and ministry, Jesus perfectly revealed the Father’s character to humanity.

Jesus’ sinless life, sacrificial death and power over death

During His earthly life, Jesus uniquely met God’s standard of perfection (Hebrews 4:15). His absolute sinlessness made Him eligible to turn away God’s wrath against sin. Though innocent, Christ allowed Himself to be crucified to pay sin’s penalty on behalf of mankind.

His death served as a substitute for what we rightly deserved (Isaiah 53:4-6).

However, the grave could not hold Jesus (Acts 2:24) – His rising from the dead displayed power and authority over sin and death. Christ’s resurrection paved the way for spiritual rebirth and eternal life for all who place their faith in Him.

It represents the victory message of the Gospel, setting Christianity apart from all other faith systems.

The free gift of salvation and eternal life with God

Perhaps the greatest blessing of Christ’s sacrifice is the gift of salvation offered to humanity. By God’s grace through faith, our sin no longer separates us from Him (Ephesians 2:8-9). We access the Father’s forgiveness and acceptance despite our moral shortcomings.

This erased spiritual debt moves us from darkness and alienation to light and reconciliation with God.

The gift of salvation also secures the promise of eternity in God’s presence. Through oneness with Christ, believers gain assurance of a home in heaven (John 14:2-3). His atoning work allows flawed people to access an undefiled inheritance kept in heaven for them (1 Peter 1:3-5).

The full scope of paradise beyond this corrupted, fleeting world awaits all who call upon the Lord and put their trust in Him (Revelation 21:3-4).

The Gift of the Holy Spirit & Spiritual Gifts

The Holy Spirit’s guidance, wisdom and empowerment

The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to believers, providing guidance, wisdom and empowerment in their walk with Christ. The Spirit leads believers into truth, bringing clarity to God’s Word and direction for life (John 16:13).

The Spirit also imparts wisdom beyond human understanding, enabling believers to apply God’s truth practically and discern His will (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). Additionally, the Holy Spirit empowers believers for ministry, emboldening them as witnesses (Acts 1:8) and granting them spiritual gifts for service (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

The Spirit’s supernatural guidance and enabling is vital for living the Christian life.

Diverse spiritual gifts for serving God’s kingdom

The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts among Christians according to God’s design and grace (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11-12). Examples include gifts of teaching, service, healing, prophecy, tongues, discernment, apostleship, and more (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30).

These gifts vary across believers and are given for the common good of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7). Just as the human body has different parts with different functions, so the body of Christ is unified through diverse gifts empowered by one Spirit (Romans 12:4-6).

When Christians humbly use their gifts to serve others and build up the church, God’s kingdom is advanced powerfully.

Cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in Christian character

In contrast to spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit refer to Christlike virtues cultivated in believers as they yield to the Spirit’s work (Galatians 5:22-23). Rather than temporary gifts, these qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control reflect the Spirit’s transforming presence within.

As believers walk in step with the Spirit, becoming more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), they exemplify these spiritual fruits. Scripture urges believers to live by the Spirit and be guided by Him (Galatians 5:16-25).

As Christians grow in godly character, they give clear evidence of the Spirit’s sanctifying work in their lives.

The Gift of Talents & Skills

Unique talents reflecting God’s creativity

We all have our own unique set of talents that reflect God’s amazing creativity. Just as every snowflake is different, God has made each of us with a distinctive blend of abilities. Some people are talented musicians who can play instruments skillfully or have beautiful singing voices that praise God in song.

Others excel at sports, art, writing, teaching, encouraging others, or serving behind the scenes. All these talents ultimatley come from God, the supremely talented Creator.

The diversity of talents is a testament to God’s limitless creativity. As 1 Corinthians 12:4 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” God delights in making each person with their own customized set of talents.

We all have something unique to offer to bless others and bring glory to Him.

Diverse abilities meeting practical needs

Our talents and abilities allow us to meet practical needs in God’s kingdom. Some are talented cooks who can turn ingredients into delicious meals. Others are detail-oriented organizers who plan events. Still others have a knack for comforting the hurting or offering wise advice.

When we serve others in these practical ways, we make God’s love tangible.

Just as the different parts of the body work together, our diverse talents complement each other. As Paul wrote, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!'” (1 Corinthians 12:21).

God distributes talents among His people so that all needs are met as we build up His Church.

Stewarding our gifts faithfully for God’s intended purposes

Since our talents originate from God Himself, we are called to be good stewards of them for His intended purposes. Just as a steward manages someone else’s property, we should freely employ our talents to serve others, not selfishly hoard them.

God gives us talents so that we can bless others, reflecting His generosity. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Our talents equip us for the good deeds God prepared for us.

We just need faith and courage to steward them well for His glory.

Conclusion

Through His generous blessings, we glimpse the heart of our loving Heavenly Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children. As we walk closely with God, discovering and stewardsing these gifts, our lives will overflow with meaning, purpose and joy.