Freely Given
But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 6:23b
Why does Paul refer to salvation as a free gift (Rom 5:15-18)? It is because we don’t have to deserve it or earn it, to receive it. In fact, the cost of salvation was far too dear, for any man to be worthy of it. It is neither the reward of faith nor the wages of righteousness, but, the trophy that Christ won on our behalf, paying the price to remit our sin with his own blood on the cross – because he loved us.
The Apostle further enlightens us:
For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable [He never withdraws them once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those He gives His grace] Romans 11:29 (Amplified Version).
This gift of God means eternal life for us; it is the expected and intended end for every true believer. As inheritors of such free full salvation and custodians of the grace of God, we must be conscious of His purpose: In saving men, God seeks to deliver men from destruction and to populate the kingdom of righteousness and peace that Christ will establish one day after he would have judged the earth. We have also received the privilege and responsibility to share this vision. And as we honor God’s word above everything in our lives we must remember the mandate ‘freely you have received, freely give’. We must bring liberation from sin and Satan’s oppression, as well as, the glorious hope of eternal life and security with God through the gospel to souls that come our way; We would help our friends who may stray or attempt to wander outside the fold, showing them God’s love and intent.
God has given us all it takes (no good thing will he withhold from them that work uprightly – Psalm 84:11). Now He is counting on us.
Devotional Prayer
Lord, thank you for the free gift of salvation. I thank you because that gift is complete in grace and power to live the Divine life. And I pray that such grace and power will strongly be manifest daily in my life and I would be fruitful. Help me to bring others to this experience through the gospel and to influence many to righteousness by the light that shines in me.
Amen! In Jesus Name.
