.....on gifts.....

Trying to put into words a random thought process:

For my birthday, I would like several gifts. I'd like people to give me certain nice things that will make me happy, but will not cost me anything to acquire at the time, because they are gifts. That, right there, is the essence of a gift. It does not cost the giftee (the receipient) anything. However, it almost certainly costs the gifter (the giver of the gift) something and the cost to the gifter is almost always directly proportional to how much value the gifter places on the giftee. This cost may be monetary, may be time, may be creativity...

So....well...
Rom 6:23 tells me: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
Eph 2:8 says: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (KJV)

There is a gift of God poured out for all of mankind, the gift of eternal life, salvation from the wage of sin (death; seperation from God). Since it is a gift, it is given FREE to mankind (the giftee in this case). The only cost incurred is on the side of God (the gifter in this case). It cost Him His Son.

John 3:16 says: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

God paid for the gift of eternal life with the life of His Son. And why? Because He loved the world SO MUCH! Because of LOVE! God's love for all of mankind was so great that He decided to sort out, once and for all, forever, for all time, for all people, the one thing that was seperating mankind from Him.

Heb 10: 10: By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (KJV)
Heb 10: 14: For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (KJV)

God (the gifter) has given a gift (eternal life) that has been fully paid for by the death of Jesus Christ.
The giftee (all of mankind) simply has to receive it (believe that Jesus, in dying, paid the FULL PRICE for sin)

Then, there is the Resurrection, but that is a whole other thought process!