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1991-06-30
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INS:FREE, Not Cheap by Brad McCoy
The idea that salvation from hell is a totally free gift is often
ridi- culed today. Many suggest that eternal salvation is very costly
to us. They encourage people to whom they witness to count the cost of
becoming a Christian.
However, the Scriptures clearly and repeatedly speak of eternal
salvation as a 'free gift' which is 'without cost' to us.
The Lord Jesus said to the woman at the well, "If you knew the gift
of God. . . you would have asked. . . and He would have given you
living water" (John 4:10).
Similarly John records these words of Jesus Christ in Revelation
21:6, "I will give to him who thirsts from the spring of the water of
life without cost." G. H. Lang said regarding this verse, "The water of
life is not ac- quired by the process of fighting a life-long battle
and conquering at last. It is a free gift, imparting spiritual life to
the spiritually dead" ("Reve- lation", p. 94).
Revelation 22:17 echoes this sentiment: "And let the one who is
thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water without cost."
The Apostle Paul called eternal salvation a 'free gift' (or 'gift')
not less than nine times (Romans 3:24; 5:15 [twice], 16 [twice], 17;
6:23; 2 Cor- inthians 9:15; Ephesians 2:8). For example, in Romans 3:24
Paul said that believers are "justified freely by His grace."
Similarly, in Ephesians 2:8,9 he wrote, "For by grace you have been
saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it [salvation] is the
gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
James spoke of the new birth as a gift from God: "Every good gift
and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father. .
. Of His own will He brought us forth [regenerated us] by the word of
truth." (James 1:17-18)
The author of the book of Hebrews spoke of eternal salvation as "the
heavenly gift" (Hebrews 6:4).
Clearly the New Testament is not at all reluctant to describe
eternal salvation as a free gift.
Gospel proclamation which carefully and clearly offers to sinners
eternal salvation as a free gift is far from being a false gospel as
some charge today. Indeed, it is the one and only true gospel.
As ambassadors for Christ we are to proclaim the good news that
Jesus paid the complete price for our eternal salvation (2 Corinthians
8:9; Colossians 2:13,14; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:18,19). There is
nothing left for us to pay. No cost to count. Just a free gift to
recieve by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and in Him alone. Now THAT
is good news!
Brad McCoy