Such perversions remind us to distinguish between the giver, the gift and the giving. A simple illustration may clarify these concepts: Your compassion is stirred at the sight of so many poor and homeless in your town. You want to do something to meet their needs, both spiritual and physical. You open a “Meal Center” and work hard to prepare food. You send out invitations: “For a hot meal, free of charge, come to the Meal Center at 6 p.m. Pick up a plate, fork and spoon at the door. Then join us for a brief meeting to pray and to hear God’s word. After that, please form an orderly line to receive the food.”
In this imaginary story, you are the giver. The food is the gift. The giving takes place at a certain time and place, according to instructions in the invitation. Instructions do not remove the grace of the gift. Nor does complying with instructions imply any effort to earn the free gift.
To do as God directs to receive His gift of salvation is simply to express faith in God.
In the spiritual realm, God is the giver of salvation. He and His Son have done the hard, sacrificial work. The gift is justification, with eternal life in His family and kingdom. The giving takes place in the way that God, the giver, directs. We are the needy. To do as God directs is simply to express faith in God. It celebrates God’s role. As the giver, He (and He alone) has the right to arrange how the giving takes place.