John 3:16 (NKJV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Have you ever gotten a new membership to a group or organization, and they give you a free gift just for joining? How about the first time you place an order with a new company they give you a promotional percentage off? Maybe just for entering a sweepstakes at the county fair they give you a nifty little prize?
We will encounter so many different opportunities that are offered to is for free, but not many of us read the fine print. There you may find any number of stipulations from how many times they will call you for the latest item they want you to buy. Some fine print even allows them to give your information to a third party.
Many of us may even get upset when you see those big conspiracies revealed on how a company sold or gave way information, but in some cases it was authorized. Like the time you signed up to win a brand new car, a free vacation, or a video game console. You didn’t win, but for the next two years you get calls trying to sell you a time share.
When they call, some of us may get angry and begin yelling at the person on the phone. Then we feel awful when we finally let them explain that we gave them permission to call when we signed up for that car. Well, we did get that free hat that bled red dye all over us the first time it rained or the tote that the bottom fell out of when we used it.
In this day of social media and modern technology, we can just click on an ad that puts our contact information on twelve different email lists. Sometimes we don’t even have to click on an ad or order something, just by us searching for information on storage sheds, we can get pop up ads for every size imaginable.
There are many people who like to use the phrase, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” This basically means that nothing is for free. We do know that this is not entirely true because there are many organizations that help people who are in need. They don’t try to sell you on a gimmick, they are just there to help.
If you are ever around or helping with a food pantry, we can encounter a lot of those who are being helped that may not believe there is a catch. Some may be afraid to talk or even look at the ones who are helping in an attempt to avoid any sort of conversation. This is why a few may not come through the door of a church for something free, because they think someone will try to convert them.
It may not be to get something for free, but some people may view some churches this way. They don’t like the way the message is delivered, the music that they sing, or they just don’t feel like wearing nice clothes. I can say that I have been to some churches where the service is very different or I just did not feel comfortable, but it is my choice what I do about it.
I must decide what I truly believe and how I choose to follow Christ. Many of us can make this complicated and spend too much time on the wrong thing. I know that in my lifetime, I have done this a few times. Everything from being a bit lazy to feeling that I was just not good enough to be a follower of Christ.
This is where I was at in my life before I heard a message that brought me back to God. I was spending too much time walking in the shadows of indecision and condemnation. I wouldn’t decide what I truly believed, and I felt I was just too broken for God to love me. This is where the first part really affected the second part.
I knew that no matter what I did, I could never earn my way to heaven, and I was right. If I believed this, then I was condemning myself and living a lie. The truth I had to hear was that no matter what I have done, God still loves me and has already forgiven me. All I had to do is confess my sins and accept his gift to see Him in heaven when I die.
No strings attached, no robocalls, no salesmen banging down the door. Romans 6:23 tells us the simple choices, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Remain a sinful person or accept His gift of eternal life. I know that I want to choose life.
We find the price in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” We get grace through our faith, our belief in Jesus Christ who died for our sins. No community service hours at the shelter and no five easy payments.
We find one more example of the price and who this gift is for in Romans 1:18, “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.” Because of Jesus this is a free gift for all men.
So, if as the opening scripture says you do not want to perish, but have everlasting life, just simply open your hands and your hearts and accept the free gift of salvation from God. The only strings attached will be tied around your fingers so that you do not forget this simple truth.
VICTORY HAS BEEN WON
In a world where everyone has their hand out trying to get something free,
It’s hard not to join the masses saying that it might as well include me.
But too often there is a catch and you end up paying in the end,
By having to return a favor or following conditions that will not bend.
There are times you will never know the price you pay until the final cost,
By then it may be too late or soon you may feel that all hope is lost.
Even times when I get steady it seems a harder wind begins to blow,
Father, why can I not feel the blessings that I am told you want to bestow?
Dear child, your focus is still on the world and what from there you receive,
Not upon my heavenly realm and the untold riches you can’t perceive.
You have to search my scriptures, find the promises you need to learn,
My blessings are there for the taking, without wanting anything in return.
You must let go of all your fears and doubts, then open up your heart,
Faithfully accept these gifts that are presented to get your brand-new start.
Knowing from a sinless life that ended in death to the rising of My Son,
The example that led to restoration and victory over the enemy has been won.
Simple Faith Christian
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Simple Faith Christian 