“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Prices are out of control. Whether you are purchasing a home, buying a car or simply filling up your vehicle's gas tank, the costs are staggering. While prices rise quickly, they never fall to or below the starting point. The stock market is easily swayed by rumors and speculation. Sometimes prices fluctuate based on supposition rather than reality. You and I are the ones who ultimately pay the price for all of this. Even funeral expenses are extremely high. We can't afford to live and we can't afford to die.
Anytime someone advertises that a product is free, we immediately question the validity of the claim. Nothing is free anymore. Yet there is an exception to this.
Technically, it is true that nothing is free, yet it is possible to receive an expensive gift without paying for it. The most precious commodity is life itself. You can put a price tag on possessions, but you can't gauge the value of human life.
God is offering a free gift to you. It is called eternal life. Although He offers this gift to us free of charge, we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking this gift is cheap. It is the most expensive commodity in the world. This gift was purchased at the cost of a precious life, the sinless, perfect Son of God.
Not only is this a costly gift, it is a needed gift. Without this gift, each of us will perish in our sins. There is no one on this planet that is good enough to reach heaven. We are sinners. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death ...” Wages are earned. Our works, whether they seem good or not, will earn us death. We have rebelled against God, broken His law and committed high treason against Him. We tend to think that our sins are not very bad. Yet sin separates us from God and leads to death. We are unable, on our own, to change this situation. We are powerless to change our eternal destination.
God saw our plight. He cared enough to do the unthinkable. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. On the cross, mercy and justice met. Jesus satisfied justice of God when He died in our place. Through His sacrifice on the cross, mercy and grace was purchased for every one who would believe.
I am afraid that many have heard the story of the cross without appreciating the full impact of what took place there. The death of Jesus was a physically horrific event. Crucifixion is among the most cruel forms of execution. When we realize that Jesus endured such an agonizing death for us, it should produce within us greater levels of gratitude. He chose to suffer this fate because of love for us. There on the cross He died so way could live. His payment freed us from spiritual bankruptcy. He endured the wrath we should have received. On the cross, He paid for our eternal life.
Eternal life is a free gift to us because the exorbitant price has already been paid by Jesus on the cross. Yes, eternal life is a free gift, but it is not cheap. May we never treat this gift in such a thoughtless way.
There is nothing more precious than life itself. I am pro-life. I believe in the sanctity of human life. Jesus is pro-life. In John 10:10, He said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The thief, the devil, comes to steal, kill and destroy. The devil is pro-choice. He chooses to destroy life. Jesus is pro-life. He came that we may live and have abundant life.
What about you? Do you have eternal life? Eternal life cannot be earned. It is a gift. Let me share two things for you to consider.
First of all, you must believe. You must believe the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. You must believe that He died for you on the cross. You must believe that His sacrifice was sufficient payment for all your sins. You must believe that His blood can cleanse you today.
Secondly, you must receive. A gift must be received. The most extravagant, expensive gift is rather worthless if you refuse to receive it. It is unthinkable that a person would reject a free gift of a million dollars. But it is even more shocking that a person would refuse to receive the gift of eternal life.
If you are uncertain about your eternal future, repent of your sins, look to Jesus Christ, by faith. Trust in His promise to save you. Receive the gift of eternal life today.
Salvation is the greatest gift that has ever been offered. With great love, God offers you this gift through His Son, Jesus Christ.
It is something free … just for you.
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