You know why you were born. You have peace as you pursue it.
But here's what's still missing:
The power to actually do it.
And the freedom from the shame that keeps you stuck.
That's where the last two gifts come in.
Gift Three: Power
Here's the reality:
You are powerless.
I know that sounds harsh. But it's true. You can't change yourself. You can't fix your patterns. You can't break free from what holds you by sheer willpower alone.
That's why Jesus said you need to be born again.
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
— John 3:3
"Born again." The Greek word is gennao—it means to be begotten, to be born, to come into being. Jesus isn't talking about being baptized. He's not talking about joining a church. He's talking about a fundamental transformation. A new birth.
Because here's the thing: You need new power. And that power only comes through being born again.
"Christ, through His spirit, energizes the Christian with a new power. This takes place when one is born again."
The moment you accept Christ, the Holy Spirit comes into your life and energizes you with power you didn't have before. Power to change. Power to break free. Power to become who God created you to be.
The Caterpillar and the Butterfly
Here's an illustration that will change everything you think about yourself.
A caterpillar is an ugly, hairy worm. It crawls on the ground. It can't fly. It has severe limitations.
But then something happens. The caterpillar goes into a cocoon. It's transformed. And when it comes out, it's a butterfly.
Same creature. Completely different capabilities.
Suddenly it can fly. It has beauty. It has freedom it never had before.
"The caterpillar is an ugly, hairy worm that cannot fly until it is born again as a butterfly. We, too, are powerless until we are born again."
That's exactly what happens when you accept Christ.
You're like that caterpillar—limited, stuck, unable to fly.
But when you're born again, you're transformed. You get new power. You get new capabilities. You get new freedom.
The Greek word for power is dynamis—it's where we get the word "dynamite." It's explosive power. It's the power to create change. And that power is available to you the moment you give your life to Christ.
What This Power Actually Does
So what can this new power do?
It can break habits you've had for decades.
It can heal relationships that seemed broken beyond repair.
It can change your perspective so completely that things that used to destroy you now just roll off your back.
It can give you the strength to say no to things that used to control you.
It can empower you to do things you never thought possible.
This isn't positive thinking. This isn't willpower.
This is the actual power of God's Holy Spirit working in your life.
And it's available. Right now. To anyone who asks. All you have to do is accept Christ as your Savior and be born again.
Gift Four: Pardon
Now we come to the final gift. The one that unlocks everything else.
Pardon. Forgiveness.
Here's the honest truth: What keeps you from God is sin.
Not your background. Not your mistakes. Not your circumstances.
Sin.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
— Romans 3:23
All. That includes you. That includes me. That includes everyone.
The Hebrew word for sin is chata—literally "to miss the mark." It's like an archer shooting an arrow and missing the target. We've all missed the mark. We've all fallen short.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
— Romans 6:23
Sin has wages. It pays out a salary. And that salary is death.
But there's a gift. An alternative. A pardon.
"The thing that keeps us from God is sin. Sin separates (Rom. 3:23). Christ freely gives pardon from sin (Rom. 6:23). His blood paid the price of our sin (John 3:16)."
Jesus didn't just talk about forgiveness. He didn't just offer theoretical pardon.
He paid for it with His blood.
"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."
— John 3:16
God gave His Son. Jesus shed His blood. That blood covered your sin. That blood paid the price you couldn't pay. And now—right now—pardon is available to you. Not because you earned it. Not because you're good enough. Not because you deserve it. Because Christ paid the price.
The Four Gifts Complete
So let me put this together for you:
Gift One: Purpose
You know why you're here. You understand that God created you for a reason. You have an aim, a target, a life that means something.
Gift Two: Peace
You don't have to face life's struggles alone. You have Jesus with you. You have peace that surpasses understanding. You have someone to help you through.
Gift Three: Power
You're no longer powerless. You're born again. You're transformed like that caterpillar becoming a butterfly. You have the explosive power of God's Holy Spirit working in your life.
Gift Four: Pardon
Your past is forgiven. Your sins are covered. The shame that held you is gone. You're free.
The Choice Is Yours
Now here's the real question:
Do you want all of this?
Do you want purpose in life?
Do you want peace in the midst of struggle?
Do you want power to change?
Do you want pardon from your sin?
Because all of this—all four gifts—can be yours.
But there's one condition. There's one requirement.
You have to give your life to Christ.
Not part of it. Not the parts you're comfortable with. All of it.
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
— Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
"Fear God and keep His commandments." This isn't about terror. The Hebrew word yirah means reverence, awe, respect. It's about giving God His rightful place as the center of your life.
And when you do—when you surrender, when you give your heart and life to Him—you get all four gifts. Purpose. Peace. Power. Pardon. That's the answer to your biggest question. That's why you were born.
Reflection Questions
1. What area of your life do you feel most powerless in?
How would it change if you had God's power?
2. What shame or sin are you still carrying that you haven't forgiven yourself for?
What would freedom feel like?
3. If you received all four gifts—purpose, peace, power, and pardon—what would be different about your life?
4. Are you ready to give your whole life to Christ?
What's holding you back?
Prayer
Father, I'm done trying to do this alone. I'm done trying to find purpose in the wrong places. I'm done carrying shame I don't have to carry.
I believe Jesus is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins. I believe His blood covers everything I've done wrong.
Right now, I give my life to You. All of it. Not just the parts I'm comfortable with. Everything.
Forgive me. Transform me. Give me power. Show me my purpose.
I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I'm born again. I'm new. I'm free.
Thank You for purpose. Thank You for peace. Thank You for power. Thank You for pardon.
Help me live out the rest of my life knowing why I was born and who I belong to.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
If this message helped you understand the four gifts Christ offers, share it with someone who needs to know the answer to life's biggest question.