During the Spanish War Theodore Roosevelt, much attached to his men, was greatly concerned when a number of them became ill. Hearing that a nurse, Clara Barton, who was devoting her skill to the work of nursing wounded soldiers, had received a supply of delicacies for those under her care, Colonel Roosevelt requested her to sell a portion of them to him for the sick men of his regiment.
When his request was refused the colonel was very troubled. He loved his men and was willing to pay for their needs out of his own pocket. He asked the surgeon in charge of the Red Cross headquarters: "How can I get these things? I must have proper food for my sick men.”
“Just ask for them, Colonel," was the answer.
“Oh," said Roosevelt, his face breaking into a smile; "that is the way, is it? Then I do ask for them." And he got them at once.
How often the colonel's mistake has been repeated in connection with the matter of salvation! Many expect to receive it in exchange for something that 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 improvement in his conduct; a fifth imagines that he can obtain it by adherence to an orthodox creed and conformity to certain religious observances.
But, friend, 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. 21:66And 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 is humbled by such terms. Arrogant man will strive to pay, whatever the price. But the value of God's gift is too great for feeble man to buy. Nor can any man merit salvation in the smallest degree, however long he may try. God is prepared to meet the sinner with His hands full of the richest blessing, if only the sinner will come with empty hands to receive it as a free gift. Will you?