(Tripp Ledger – 1/28/14)

Better to Receive

Often we hear the saying that it is better to give than to receive.  And if we keep it in the context that it is given to us in the Bible (Acts 20:35) – in our interpersonal relationships – this phrase is true.  However, we need to remember that in our relationship with God, it is much better to receive than to give.  In fact, there is nothing that we can give to God – or to anyone else for that matter – that we didn’t first receive from God.   So many religions, and sadly even Christian teachers, have made our salvation based on our giving to God.  If you give God your obedience, if you give God your time, effort, and money, if you give God your life, if you give God your heart, then God will reward you with salvation.  But this model has everything backwards.  Salvation is all about receiving things from God.  We are not saved when we give God our heart, but instead, when we are saved we receive from God a new heart.  Our broken, sin-filled heart is of no value to God – that is why He offers to replace our heart with a new one.

The Kingdom of God is all about receiving from God so that we might share what we’ve received with others.  In Luke 18:17 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And John 1:12 tells anyone who receives Christ, He gives them the right to become children of God.  This matter of giving vs. receiving is an important one for it changes how we view everything in our relationship with Christ including the Sacraments.

When we look at baptism, it is important that we see it as something we are receiving from God.  Baptism is not something we do for God, but it is something He does for us.  In baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of our sins.  It is in baptism that God removes our hearts of stone and puts a new spirit in us.  Baptism is not a work that we give to God, but instead it is simply the reception of the gracious work of God done on our behalf.  This is why in the Lutheran Church we encourage the baptism of infants – for as mentioned earlier, an infant is said to be the prime example of what it means to receive the Kingdom of God properly.  As adults, we often let our works and foolish pride get in the way of God’s grace.

The Lord’s Supper also is something that is only understood correctly when we see it exclusively as something received.  We are the invited guests at the Lord’s table.  He is the one who has prepared the feast for us.  He is the one who invites us into His presence to receive the assurance that our sins are forgiven as we partake of His Holy Body & Blood.

When we view the Sacraments and our salvation as something received and not something earned, it helps us to receive them properly – in true humility.  If we view Holy Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and our salvation as things we have earned – rewards for the things we give to God, then these things can become a source of false pride.  But if we keep the proper perspective, that we are simply the undeserving recipients of God’s gracious works, then there is no longer any room for boasting.  All of the glory is then reserved for God. This understanding leads to a genuine spirit of thanksgiving, and it is out of that spirit that we then are able to give back to God.  It is a thankful heart that is motivated to do good works – works of obedience to God.  Things we give to God to earn his favor will be rejected, but everything that we do in thankfulness for the things we freely received from God will be rewarded.   Thanksgiving is what should motivate our giving to others as well.  For Jesus said in Matthew 10:8, “Freely you have received, freely give.”