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The "Free" Gift of Salvation

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Most people are interested in things that are free.  Most are interested in being saved when they realize they are in a heap of trouble, which we all are.  

 

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”  Romans 3:23

 

Salvation, free?  Yes, really.  

 

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:17

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It is free in that you cannot earn it.  

It is not free in that to receive it will cost you everything.

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Thanks to Adam, we have our hands full...of pride and self.  Salvation is indeed a free gift, but we cannot receive it unless our hands are empty to receive the gift.  While the gift of salvation is offered to everyone, not everyone will position themselves to accept it.  If you want to accept it, here is what Jesus says you must do (and if you are willing He will help you do it!)

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-Love Jesus supremely.

Love is a conscious decision to devote myself to a person no matter how I feel and no matter what it costs me.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:25,26

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-Commit to Jesus.

A commitment is a deliberate decision made after a deliberate investigation of the cost of committing.

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”  Luke 14:28

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To commit to Christ Jesus is not primarily an act of the mouth or the mind, but of the will, the heart.  It is a decision that is played out again and again throughout a lifetime.  Will we fall out of love, or falter in our commitment?  Not if we have truly received the gift.  Those who receive endure to the end.  We persevere because Heaven preserves us.  If we love and commit to Jesus, He will will carry us through.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6

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That is the free gift of salvation...it is not only free, it is freeing!

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• References in English Standard Version  

• Exposition on the free gift taken from sermon Macarthur Boulevard Baptist Church (8/7/2016)mbbcirving.org         

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