Salvation is offered to all; but in order to be saved we must submit to God's own terms. No works of righteousness which we have done will save us, for God will not allow the sinner to boast except in Christ.
"He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
Beloved, I beseech you, accept salvation as a free and undeserved gift from God. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. These are God's terms. Are they not exactly suited to the sinner who sees himself to be utterly and helplessly lost?
"Ah, sir, it is too cheap a salvation for me," were the words of a foreman in a coal mine. He was conducting a Christian man to the exit of the pit. The Christian had been speaking to the miners of God's salvation, and had been showing them from God's Word that the work that saves was finished by the Lord Jesus on the cross.
Arrived at the bottom of the shaft the preacher asked how he was to get out of the pit. The foreman answered: "Just step into this cage, sir, and the engine will do the rest.”
"But have I nothing to pay, and nothing to do?”
"No, sir; the engine will do it all.”
"That is far too cheap for me," said the preacher. "But tell me, did it cost nothing to make this way out of the pit?”
"Yes, sir, it cost thousands of dollars, I suppose.”
"Ah, that's it," replied the preacher. "It costs me nothing to use this way out, but it cost someone else thousands of dollars to provide it. Just so, my friend, never call God's salvation cheap. It costs you nothing to receive this infinite gift, but it cost the blessed Savior everything to procure it. He bled, and suffered, and died that you and I might be saved.”