What Do You Have that You Did Not Receive?
Christianity is distinguished from world philosophies and world religions by what the Christian receives from God.
First, the Christian has received Jesus Christ, by the will of God (Jn 1:12–13), and having received the Spirit of adoption as sons, we cry out, “Abba! Father! (Rom 8:15).” Thus, we see how great a love the Father has bestowed on us (1 Jn 3:1). To receive Christ means we have the Son, and he who has the Son of God has life (Jn 3:36; 1 Jn 5:12).
Second, to receive Christ means we have received the Spirit of Christ. This was the promise of the Father (Acts 2:33), the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). This is the third Person of the Trinity, who comes upon the elect soul, whom Christ redeemed, and it is the Spirit who baptizes (Mt 3:11), regenerates (Jn 3:1–8; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3) and indwells those appointed to eternal life (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Acts 13:48).
Third, those who have received the Spirit of God, have also received mercy (Rom 9:16; Heb 4:16; 1 Pet 2:10) and grace upon grace (Jn 1:16). Mercy is not receiving from God, that which we truly deserve (ie. wrath, hell, eternal punishment, etc.). Grace is the work of the Trinity to benefit the elect, redeemed saint.
The receipt of mercy and grace also distinguishes the Christian, who has the Spirit working sanctification in the new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). We are new creations (Gal 6:15), by having received what we have received.
Fourth, we have received a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of our salvation (Ps 24:5). The Christian has right standing before the holy God, who justly judges everyone (Gen 18:25; Ps 51:4; Jn 5:30; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 2:23; 4:5). The blessing of our salvation is that Jesus received the punishment for our sins (Is 53:5), while we received His imputed righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). The believer in Jesus is justified, having been declared “not guilty” of all his or her sins.
Fifth, through His name, everyone who believes in Him receives the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:28; Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7). This is the meaning behind the terms, “justified by faith.” Those who turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God (Acts 26:18) receive even more than a clean slate.
Sixth, those who have been sanctified by faith in Christ also receive an inheritance reserved for them in heaven (1 Pet 1:4). This is the promise of an eternal inheritance, given to those who receive the call of God (Heb 9:15), as in the case of Abraham, the believer (Heb 11:8).
Seventh, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:1), there is hope (Col 1:27). Receiving faith means that faith must first be granted by God (Phil 1:29). Faith is a gift of God, granted by the grace of God, for receipt of so great a salvation (Eph 2:8–9). Jesus authors and allocates the faith handed down to all the saints (Rom 12:3; Heb 12:2; Jude 3).
Eighth, those who are in Christ, by His doing (1 Cor 1:30), receive gifts to employ in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Pet 4:10). When the gift of the Holy Spirit is received (Rom 5:5), the gifts of the Spirit are received. There are many spiritual gifts listed in Scripture (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4), and these show us how the members of Christ work together for the building up of His body.
Ninth, we receive a share of the ministry (Acts 1:17), which we receive from the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:24). Therefore, we should take heed to the ministry to fulfill it (Col 4:17), and, of course, we do not lose heart, having received it along with mercy (2 Cor 4:1).
Tenth, all of the things noted above that we have received from God, are made known to those who have received the love of the truth (2 Thess 2:10). It is the Spirit of truth (2 Cor 3:17), who inspires the Word of truth (2 Tim 3:16), which the true believer manifests and exemplifies by his love for the Bible (Ps 119).
Eleventh, to accept the Scriptures means one has received the Word with joy (Lk 8:13). Receiving the Word of God, like the Samaritans (Acts 8:14), like the Gentiles (Acts 11:1), like the Thessalonians (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 1:6; 2:13), and which is implanted in the heart (Jas 1:21), is not only able to save our souls, but it performs its good work in all who believe (1 Thess 2:13). But wait…there is more!
Finally (for this article), he who has received trial and tribulation because of the Word of God (Rev 1:9), he will receive the crown of life, that is, the unfading crown of glory (1 Pet 5:4), which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (Jas 1:12).
Christian, everything you have of eternal value, in this life and in the life to come, has been granted to you in Christ Jesus. As the prophecy was written, “But the saints of the Highest will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come (Dan 7:18).” Regarding this kingdom received, we defer the final word to the writer of Hebrews, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God, an acceptable service with reverence and awe (Heb 12:28).” Brethren, what do you have that you did not receive (1 Cor 4:7)?
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
September 3, 2022
