The Gifts and the Givers.
Trinity Sunday- Romans 5:1-8
On this Trinity Sunday, we are invited to reflect not only on who God is—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—but also on how each person of the Trinity is a Giver of divine gifts. The lectionary reading from Romans 5:1–8 brings us into the heart of this divine generosity, teaching us that the gifts of God are unlike anything the world offers. While our culture often associates gifts with merit, achievement, or mutual exchange, Scripture reveals that God’s giving is rooted not in our worthiness, but in His love. The Apostle Paul proclaims that God gifts abundantly, indiscriminately, and effectively—out of the very nature of who He is (Romans 5:6–8).
As a child, many of us grew up with the magical belief in Santa Clause. In our homes, Santa was often the one who gave the best gifts—if we were good. The “naughty or nice” list was more than a playful idea; it was a moral scoreboard, reinforced by the looming possibility of being denied a present. While fun and whimsical, this cultural myth subtly shaped our view of gifts. It taught us that gifts are really rewards—earned by good behavior and withheld for bad. Unfortunately, this view still lingers even in our understanding of divine things. But the Bible tells a better story, a truer one. It tells us that God gives not as the world gives, and certainly not as Santa does. He gives grace—true gifts—to the undeserving (Romans 5:8).
To understand what makes a gift truly a gift, theologians have identified several key characteristics. A gift, by nature, must be abundant (not a discard or a donation), self-motivated (given out of the giver’s nature, not our performance), timely (given at just the right moment), indiscriminate (not based on merit), free (no strings attached), and effective (a gift that keeps on giving). Each of these elements is found in how God gifts Himself to us through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
First, the gift is abundant. God does not offer a token or a trinket; He gives His very best—His own Son. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16). The Father doesn’t give us something detached from Himself. He gives us Himself in the Son. In doing so, He doesn’t gift leftovers or minor blessings—He gifts us His glory, His righteousness, His peace.
Second, this gift is self-motivated. God does not wait until we are lovable to love us. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He gifts from who He is—not in reaction to who we are. God is love, and because of that, He gives in love.
Third, this gift is timely. Paul writes, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). God didn’t delay until we asked for it. Nor did He give too soon when we were unaware. He gave at the perfect moment, when His gift would have the greatest redemptive effect.
Fourth, God’s gift is indiscriminate. Unlike the myth of Santa, God doesn’t reward the righteous and shun the sinful. In fact, the very nature of the gospel is that Christ died not for the deserving, but for the undeserving. “While we were yet sinners…” (Romans 5:8), God gave Himself to us. This is what makes grace so radical—it is given to the unworthy.
Fifth, the gift is free. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Gifts that require repayment cease to be gifts. They become wages. God’s grace cannot be bought, bartered, or earned. It can only be received.
Finally, God’s gift is effective—it works. Paul says that those who are justified by faith have “peace with God” and “access into grace” (Romans 5:1–2). Even more, “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). These are gifts that not only change our standing with God but transform our very hearts and lives. The Holy Spirit Himself is given to dwell within us, to renew and sanctify, to comfort and empower.
This kind of giving is only possible because of the Givers. The triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—works in perfect unity to bring about this radical gifting. The Father gives the Son, the Son gives His life, and the Spirit gives His indwelling presence. Together, they do what no worldly system of giving can do—they give grace, and it’s real, personal, and enduring.
So the question we must ask this Trinity Sunday is not just “What has God given?” but also, “Have I received it?” Have we truly received the gift—not just mentally, but in the full embrace of faith? Have we allowed these gifts to work in us, to shape our holiness, our joy, and our peace? Or have we treated God’s gifts like the ones we re-gift—tucked away or passed on without treasuring them?
The gifts of the Triune God are for you. They are offered freely and fully. If you want them, take them. And once received, treasure them—because these gifts will not only justify you, they will transform you.
Watch the full Sermon HERE. Listen to Sermon HERE.
Peace Be With You,
Pastor Bruce
