"His Gift" -7

As I was leading into yesterday, before I was sidetracked into speaking about failure; James made references to two different forms of the word 'gift' in his epistle to his Hebrew brethren, in James 1:17; and he does so without much distinction; at least not which is made clear in the text without some digging into the meaning of these two words. The two forms of 'gift' are the words 'dosis' and 'dorema'; where "every good gift" is 'dosis', and "every perfect gift" is 'dorema'. Even though James does not make much distinction with these two words, except with translators addition of good and perfect, there are what I would consider very big differences between the two; at least how I see it, but you may think differently! Paul uses the word 'dorema' as the gift he is speaking of in Romans 5:16, (as a matter of fact, these are the only two places that this word is used), and in Romans 5:16, it is translated "the gift", which speaks of that which Christ did for the sinner, justifying him! The word 'dorema' stands in near equivalence to the word 'charisma' found in Romans 5:15, which is translated "free gift". Okay, okay; what the heck is the big deal in these two different "gifts"??? Yes, I know you were probably asking that, and thinking, A gift is a gift? Right? Well the difference is that one is an intended gift, while the other is not just intended, but has with it the property of success, completeness; or better yet, a gift that comes with a definite result! In James, the gift that is intended is called the "good gift"; while the gift that has result is called the "perfect gift". Really, for the intention of this discussion, the main difference that I wish to speak of, is how "the gift" is received by the recipient. To try and put this in a way that I think we can easily understand, I would relate this to something in line with a promise and an actual assurance. On the one hand, we have a gift that promises certain things based upon the actions of those that are the recipient of the gift; while the other offers assurance that is not based upon anything other than the gift itself. A good example of a participatory gift would be the gifts of the Holy Spirit, whereby the receiver of such gifts are given them by asking, yielding, and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. If we were to associate the gift of grace in line with this form of a gift, then one would naturally assume that there is some sort of participation that is needed on the part of the recipient in order for this gift to be brought to completion. This is not what the gift of grace is all about!!! For the gift of grace is assured to us by what Jesus has done, and is only based upon receivership of the gift; by which, in the act of receiving it, there is 'Blessed Assurance!' That is what makes it a "Perfect Gift", because there is nothing required by the recipient, other than the act of receivership!!! Worthy or not, the gift of grace is given freely; however, it is 'the not' which takes place in our relationship with the Giver of this gift; for none are worthy, no, not one!!! And that is where I think many have it mistaken, in that they think they must be found worthy to receive this gift of grace; as if, by some action on their part, they will be found worthy of God's grace. But grace is bestowed upon us that are not worthy, and we know it!!!!!!!!