FREEDOM FROM ETERNAL DEATH (Salvation – A Free Gift)
For grace are ye saved THROUGH faith; and that NOT OF yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is NONE OTHER NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
One of the free gifts of God is salvation of the soul of the sinner. God has by Himself made it free. Salvation does not come by anything we have done. It is by grace. Grace simply means unmerited favor. The Bible states,
_ “But God commandeth His love towards us, in that, while we are yet SINNERS Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)._
The plan for our salvation was made by God while we were yet in sin. Not when we decided to turn to God or repent from sin. It was when we were still deep in sin, not willing to come out of it, that Christ died and made salvation available to all. That is why it is a free gift. We did not give assistance to God make. It was purely God’s initiative. Yes, it is free. Salvation cannot be purchased with money, neither is it for sale. God in His wisdom decided it to be so. The only for the sinner to be saved, is to express faith in the finished work of Christ. Even the ability to believe is a gift from God.
That if thou shalt confess with thou mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead; thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9).
Salvation is free to anyone who believes. As for the Jews so also for the Gentiles. It is received only by accepting the finished work of Christ on Calvary. It does not come by man’s labor or good works. Neither can it be obtained by man’s own righteousness.
_The Bible declares that “all our righteousness is as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). _
The scripture makes it clear that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16).
Someone once said that things that are free are probably the most important things on earth. That is true, especially when we consider the indispensability of the air we breathe and the rain from the clouds. But the wisdom of world suggests that free things are too cheap to be significant. This explains why a low cost of property is often not as highly valued as a very costly one. The property may be perfectly in order, but this may not impress society.
There is something uncanny in the heart of man which disdains free gifts. Yet the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God.
A gift may be defined as something which is given or bestowed without charge. It is a present or a donation. Salvation is such a present bestowed by God on mankind without a charge.
Paul in Romans 5:15, states that it is not merely “the gift by grace” but also “… the free gift”. The apostle uses the word “free gift” to emphasize the magnitude of the concept of salvation - for gift implies something that is free and something that is free implies a gift.
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