I stared at the words for a moment, taken aback, then reread them again to be sure I had read them correctly the first time. Sure enough, I had not in my haste, misread these comments following an article written about the gift of repentance. I read again what the commenter had to say, letting it sink in –

“There is no such thing as the ‘gift of repentance.’ I’ve never heard of the ‘gift of repentance.’ It is not a gift.”

Well, this got me to thinking about the nature and definition of “gifts” and I began to wonder if perhaps this wasn’t simply a semantic distinction that was causing the commenter to question the author’s identification of “repentance” as a gift from God. Perhaps the commenter was limited by these words from 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 –

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. . . . Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. . . . to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.”

Did the commenter rule out repentance as a gift because it wasn’t mentioned in this particular list of “gifts”? This is not an exhaustive list of all of God’s good gifts to us by any means. It is a tip of the iceberg listing, if anything. The actual “good gifts list” (if there is one) is pretty much infinite because our Heavenly Father is an infinite God. His mercies are new every morning and so are all His other never-ending good gifts to us as His children. What I do know about good gifts and who it is that gives them is this –

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

And God’s good gifts to me and to you, dear readers, are many – too many to count. He gave us the gift of His only Son, Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Giving us Jesus, giving us eternal life, – pretty good gifts if you ask me. But there’s more. Jesus told His disciples this before His return to heaven –

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

God not only gave us His Son, He has given us His Holy Spirit as well. And the list of “gifts” continues to grow with these words of Jesus –

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27)

No, the world’s gifts are temporary, unsatisfyingly poor substitutes for God’s “good and perfect gifts”. God’s gifts to you and to me are priceless and perfect. And the list continues to grow with these words from Ephesians –

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

God’s grace, my faith, your faith – all gifts from God. It’s ALL God from start to finish so that I can’t boast. (I don’t have anything to boast about since every good thing I have is a gift from God) He is the author and perfecter of my faith, the sanctifier of my soul, the restorer of my life, the payer of my price, the forgiver of my sin and the lifter of my head. Repentance must certainly be among God’s many “good and perfect gifts.” And sure enough, I read these words in Ezekiel –

“I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

God softening my heart, actually giving me a “heart of flesh” able to receive Him, and opening my ears so I can hear and respond to Him – these are His gifts to me, doing for me what I cannot do for myself. My salvation, restoration, transformation, the quickening/convicting of my spirit moving me to repentance – these are all good gifts to me from my Heavenly Father. None are deserved, but all are freely given. (“He does not treat us as our sins deserve.”)

Just as faith and forgiveness are surely gifts from God, so is the work He does in my heart, drawing me to Him, leading me to repentance. A part of His gift of repentance is His gift of discipline. That’s right – discipline is a gift from God!

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)

I am thankful that God gives me the gift of repentance, that He gives me a heart of flesh so that I can receive His gift of forgiveness, His gift of mercies which are new every morning. I am thankful for God fulfilling this promise as well, to give us this –

“I will put My laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.” (Hebrews 8:10)

Every moment of my life is a gift from God and everything contained in those moments are His “good and perfect gifts.” His presence brings all of His good gifts with Him – gifts of comfort, joy, peace, hope, provision and protection. Gifts too numerous to number, like the manna given freely each morning to the Israelites in the desert. In my desert wanderings I know this to be true –

“You hem me in – behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5)

I have the gift of Your promise – the promise of Your Presence –

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

God’s everpresent Presence brings me peace, provision and protection –

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:4-6)

All are good gifts from God, along with repentance, redemption and reconciliation – God’s gifts are too numerous to name them all. I am forever thankful, a life of gratitude my only possible response.

sincerely, Grace Day