God's gift to us is love. Why would God love us? We could never earn it, nor deserve it. God loves us for this one reason. "God is love" (1 John 4:8). But like any other gift, God's gift of love must be received. Sadly, many reject God's gift of love. Gladly, many others receive God's gift of love bringing joy and peace.
How do we receive God's gift of love? It comes to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God's gift of love is received by believing in His Son. Believing is receiving God's gift of love in Christ.
Where can we find God's gift? At the cross of Jesus we find God's gift of love to us. In Christ crucified, God's gift of love is on display for the world to see. No greater love could ever be found. His love for us as sinners is beyond question. God's love in Christ crucified takes away our sins. At the cross, God's love is proven. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
How do we experience God's gift of love? It can only be experienced in our hearts. Only the Holy Spirit can make God's great gift very real to us, "because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5).
