People seem to expect to receive salvation in exchange for something they can offer to God. One brings an earnest prayer; a second brings a vow or a promise to improve his life; 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 rigid 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." Rev. 21:6.
"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.
Pride objects to 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." Eph. 2:8, 9.
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." Titus 3:5.