960) There are very few times in the Bible when God does not require actions or responsibilities when he gives someone a promise. In Genesis 12, God said, Go and I will give.. (Abraham) God said, Go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt. (Moses). The angel said, Joseph, take Mary as your wife because her son will save people from their sins.

In Acts 9:32-35, Peter meets a paralyzed man, and he tells the man to get up and walk. What he doesn’t just say is, You are healed. The man had to get up and walk to receive the gift from God.

It’s good to remember that a gift requires the active choice of reaching out and taking it. God doesn’t want passive followers.