THE INDESCRIBABLE GIFT OF GOD

THE INDESCRIBABLE GIFT OF GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 9:15

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:15 — “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

Supporting Texts: John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 9:6; Romans 8:32; 1 John 4:9-10

Description: Jesus Christ is God's indescribable gift through whom humanity receives salvation, grace, reconciliation and the hope of eternal life.

INTRODUCTION

After teaching extensively about generosity, Paul concludes 2 Corinthians 9 with a powerful declaration: “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” The greatest gift discussed in the passage is not money, material provision or any earthly blessing. It is God's gift of Jesus Christ. Every other blessing we receive from God finds its ultimate meaning in Christ.

Human language has limitations when attempting to describe the greatness of God's gift. Jesus is the eternal Son of God who came into the world, took upon Himself human nature, lived without sin, died for our sins and rose again. Through Him, God offers forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life to those who believe.

The proper response to such an indescribable gift is thanksgiving. We should not take Christ for granted or treat salvation as something ordinary. God's greatest gift calls us to faith, worship, obedience, holiness, gratitude and a life dedicated to His service.

1. GOD IS THE GIVER OF THE INDESCRIBABLE GIFT

Before considering the greatness of the gift, we must recognise the heart of the Giver. God Himself initiated the work of salvation because of His love.

a. God Gave His Son (John 3:16) — God's love was demonstrated by giving His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

b. Salvation Comes From God (Jonah 2:9) — Salvation is ultimately the work of God and cannot be achieved through human effort.

c. God's Love Was Manifested in Christ (1 John 4:9) — God demonstrated His love by sending His only begotten Son into the world.

d. God Did Not Withhold His Son (Romans 8:32) — The God who gave His Son assures us that His generosity is beyond anything we can fully comprehend.

Biblical Example: Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac pointed prophetically towards the sacrificial love of God, who would provide the ultimate sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-14).

2. JESUS CHRIST IS GOD'S GREATEST GIFT

Jesus is not merely one blessing among many. He is God's supreme provision for humanity's greatest problem—sin and separation from God.

a. Christ Came Into the World (John 1:14) — The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing God's glory.

b. Christ Came to Save Sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) — Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

c. Christ Is the Way to the Father (John 14:6) — Jesus declared Himself to be the way, the truth and the life.

d. Christ Gives Eternal Life (John 10:28) — Jesus gives eternal life to His sheep and promises that they shall never perish.

Biblical Example: Simeon recognised the significance of the infant Jesus and rejoiced that he had seen God's salvation (Luke 2:25-32).

3. GOD'S GIFT BRINGS SALVATION

The greatest human need is reconciliation with God. Through Christ, God provides salvation by grace.

a. Salvation Is by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) — We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works.

b. Christ Paid the Price for Sin (1 Peter 2:24) — Jesus bore our sins in His body on the tree.

c. His Blood Brings Redemption (Ephesians 1:7) — In Christ we have redemption through His blood and forgiveness of sins.

d. There Is No Other Name for Salvation (Acts 4:12) — Salvation is found in Christ alone.

Biblical Example: The Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved, and Paul and Silas directed him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:25-34).

4. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS HIS AMAZING LOVE

The cross is the supreme demonstration of God's love. Christ's sacrifice reveals how far God's love was willing to go to redeem humanity.

a. God Loved Us While We Were Sinners (Romans 5:8) — Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

b. Christ Loved Us and Gave Himself for Us (Ephesians 5:2) — Jesus willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice because of His love.

c. His Love Is Beyond Full Comprehension (Ephesians 3:18-19) — The dimensions of Christ's love surpass ordinary human understanding.

d. We Love Because He First Loved Us (1 John 4:19) — Our ability to love God begins with His prior love towards us.

Biblical Example: The sinful woman demonstrated deep love towards Jesus after experiencing His forgiveness (Luke 7:36-50).

5. GOD'S GIFT BRINGS FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION

Sin separated humanity from God, but Christ's sacrifice opened the way for reconciliation and restored fellowship.

a. We Have Forgiveness Through Christ (Colossians 1:13-14) — In Christ we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.

b. Christ Reconciles Us to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) — God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and entrusted believers with the ministry of reconciliation.

c. Our Sins Are Cleansed (1 John 1:7) — The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

d. God Gives Us Peace With Him (Romans 5:1) — Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Example: The prodigal son was received back by his father after returning in repentance, illustrating the joy of restored relationship (Luke 15:11-24).

6. GOD'S GIFT CHANGES OUR LIVES

Receiving Christ is not merely receiving a ticket to heaven. It produces transformation in the believer's character and conduct.

a. We Become New Creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) — Anyone in Christ becomes a new creation.

b. We Receive Power to Become God's Children (John 1:12) — Those who receive Christ by faith are given the right to become children of God.

c. We Are Called to Walk in Newness of Life (Romans 6:4) — Union with Christ leads to a transformed way of living.

d. We Are Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10) — God's grace prepares believers to live lives that produce good works.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus encountered Jesus and demonstrated genuine transformation through repentance and restitution (Luke 19:1-10).

7. THE INDESCRIBABLE GIFT DEMANDS A RESPONSE

A gift can be received or rejected. God's gift of Christ calls every person to respond through faith and obedience.

a. Believe in Christ (John 3:36) — Whoever believes in the Son has everlasting life.

b. Receive Christ (John 1:12) — Those who receive Him become children of God.

c. Follow Christ (Luke 9:23) — Disciples are called to deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Jesus.

d. Live for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15) — Those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again.

Biblical Example: Matthew immediately responded to Jesus' call by leaving his tax office and following Him (Matthew 9:9).

8. OUR RESPONSE SHOULD BE THANKSGIVING

Paul's immediate response to God's indescribable gift was thanksgiving. We too should live with continual gratitude for God's grace in Christ.

a. Give Thanks to God (2 Corinthians 9:15) — The appropriate response to God's indescribable gift is thanksgiving.

b. Give Thanks Continually (1 Thessalonians 5:18) — Believers are called to give thanks in every circumstance.

c. Offer the Sacrifice of Praise (Hebrews 13:15) — We should continually offer praise to God through Jesus Christ.

d. Present Your Life to God (Romans 12:1) — Gratitude should lead us to offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices.

Biblical Example: The Samaritan leper returned to Jesus, glorifying God and giving thanks after receiving healing (Luke 17:15-19).

CONCLUSION

God's gift of Jesus Christ is truly indescribable. Human words cannot fully express the greatness of His love, the value of salvation, the power of the cross or the glory of eternal life in Christ. God gave what humanity could never provide for itself, and through Jesus we receive forgiveness, reconciliation, transformation and eternal hope.

Therefore, let our response always be, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” Receive Christ by faith, live for Him with gratitude, walk in obedience and make your life an expression of thanksgiving. The greatest gift has already been given; let us treasure Christ, proclaim His Gospel and live for the glory of the One who gave Him.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to treasure Christ above every earthly blessing, in Jesus name.

3. Father, let the power of salvation continually work in my life, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deepen my understanding of Your love revealed through Christ, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let every area of my life reflect the transformation of Christ, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me grace to walk faithfully in obedience to You, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make me a faithful witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help me to live every day with genuine thanksgiving, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my life become a living expression of Your grace and love, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, keep me faithful to Christ until the end, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall continually experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ in your life.

2. Your love for Christ shall grow deeper every day.

3. You shall never take the gift of salvation for granted.

4. The transforming power of Christ shall be evident in your character and conduct.

5. You shall walk continually in the freedom of forgiveness and reconciliation.

6. Your life shall become a testimony of God's amazing grace.

7. You shall receive grace to follow Christ faithfully in every season.

8. Your mouth shall continually declare the goodness and faithfulness of God.

9. Your life shall cause others to recognise the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

10. You shall remain faithful to Christ and finish your journey with joy and thanksgiving, in Jesus name.