God’s Salvation: A Free Gift

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 6
People seem to expect to receive salvation in exchange for something they can offer. One brings an earnest prayer; a second brings a vow or a promise to turn over a new leaf; a third brings an inwardly-made resolution to live a better and purer life; a fourth thinks that before he can receive salvation, he must produce some evidence of his sincerity; a fifth imagines that he can obtain it by adherence to an orthodox creed.
Now, the truth is that God's salvation can only be had as a free gift. Why should there be any difficulty in understanding this? The words of Scripture are very plain: "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." Revelation 21:66And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Revelation 21:6).
Pride rebels against such terms. It would rather pay, however small the price. But God is too great to sell His blessing, and however long he might try, man cannot earn salvation by his own efforts.
God meets the sinner with His hands full of the richest blessings, if only the sinner will come with empty hands to receive it as a free gift. Will you?
"By 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, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).