The greatest gift
If you were asked to answer a question of what is the greatest gift, or to name the greatest gift in the Bible, what would be your response?
Let me answer this for you. I believe that more than likely, your response would be “the Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Okay. I wholeheartedly agree with you that the greatest gift from God is our Lord, Jesus Christ. But, what if I told you about another special gift, in whom God is also the distributor?
To make the mystery deeper, I will add that nonbelievers, atheists, and agnostics could exist a lifetime without ever receiving this special gift.
What is the gift?
In the Greek language there is a word “μετάνοια,“{met-an’-oy-ah} found in 26 places throughout the Bible. And for me, this word is the most essential word for those who have no faith in Christ. In other words, the unfaithful.
In a previous blog, we showed Cain’s incompetence and inappropriate behavior in the presence of God. If Cain had only realized the moment and taken advantage of God’s grace, his history would have been entirely different. Here we are only one generation from the fall of Adam and Eve and Cain is already exhibiting Satan’s attributes. When God asked Cain about the whereabouts of his brother, Cain lies to God. Cain is discourteous and is unrepentant. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? (Gen 4:9 KJG)
Even more, Cain wants special treatment and he wants God to miraculously transform his murderous nature into a sign on his forehead of protection.13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. (Gen 4:13-14 KJG)
As I discussed this topic with Doctor Ronald Bayles, I realized there was some truth to his comment, “there is a little Cain in all of us.”
The greatest gift What happened to Cain? Every believer will have to come face-to-face with God’s truth, that is to say, “lead us not into temptation.” Don’t get me wrong, God will never tempt anyone to do evil. However, God does bring us into areas of testing, trying, and teaching moments. These teaching moments have two purposes: 1) self-conviction, and 2) self-correction. Therefore, when we can appreciate self-conviction, God will then give us a heart for repentance. So, perhaps the greatest gift from the Bible is “conviction.” To be self-aware when we have wronged God. The sin found in Cain personifies us as also being a type of Cain. I am not talking about the self-absorbed, self-entered Cain who never accepted responsibility for being in opposition to the Word of God. I am not talking about the narcissistic Cain who blamed everything on everybody else for his demise. I am talking about the Cain in us that God is continually trying to change. He has given us the amazing gift of self-conviction. This special gift allows our hearts to be sorrowfully broken, convicted and brings us into the knowledge of the truth. God is always changing us into something better until our lives are living sacrifices and dying daily unto His Lordship.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2Ti 2:24-25 KJG)
3341 μετάνοια metanoia {met-an’-oy-ah} Meaning: 1) a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done
The following website has an amazing article which focuses on the mercies of God, beautifully written by John J Parsons
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Olam_Hatorah/olam_hatorah.html
Olam Hatorah (Mercy Triumphs over Judgment)
WTT Psalm 19:8 תּ֘וֹרַ֤ת יְהוָ֣ה תְּ֭מִימָה מְשִׁ֣יבַת נָ֑פֶשׁ עֵד֥וּת יְהוָ֥ה נֶ֜אֱמָנָ֗ה מַחְכִּ֥ימַת פֶּֽתִי׃
NLT Psalm 19:7 The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
“The moral law of God does not change or accommodate itself to the weakness and frailties of mankind. God’s instructions and decrees will stand forever as the abiding truth of God’s requirement for the human soul. If we do not realize this, it is because we are asleep or morally deafened. However, the moment we awaken and become alive, we see ourselves as wretched men. So, the greatest gift from the Bible has an amazing effect on the human heart, especially when we make God’s truth higher than our own selfish needs. Always remember, the next crisis in your life may very well be a visitation from Heaven. God is forging real men and women of God out of counterfeits and turning vessels of dishonor into vessels of treasures and honor for His eternal glory.