What God does for sinners He does FREELY, for He has everything, and needs no payment. We have not anything, and can make no payment. His terms of business are in Isaiah 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1): "He, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
A story is told of Sir Spencer Wells, a famous surgeon. He was consulted by a lady of limited means who was advised that an operation was necessary. The fee mentioned would be much beyond her ability to pay. "Can you not take less?" asked the patient, thinking of her very inadequate resources.
"No, madam," was the physician's reply. "I cannot afford to take less, but I can afford to take—NOTHING."
How like the Great Physician! Of HIM we read: "And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, came behind Him and touched the border of His garment, and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched Me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with Him said, Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me? And Jesus said Somebody hath touched Me, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately.
And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." Luke 8:43-4843And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (Luke 8:43‑48).
The Lord cannot take less than the full price, and he who would attempt to pay must remember that Jesus said: "Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." Matt. 5:2626Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (Matthew 5:26).
What is the price of salvation to one who would work for it? Perfect obedience is God's demand in such a case. He says, "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Gal. 5:3, 43For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:3‑4).
The Great Physician takes no part payment for His work—it is all of grace: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace, otherwise work is no more work." Rom. 11:66And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6).
Blessed truth! He will not take less, but He will take—NOTHING.
Justification for nothing? "Justified FREELY by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" Rom. 3:2424Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:24).
Everything for nothing! "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also FREELY give us all things?" Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).
Are you poor enough to accept God's terms? Or do you want to pay part? Not till he had "spent all," did the prodigal begin to think of his father. Did he pay a part of the bill of fare at that home-coming feast? No! Nor need I.
God cannot take less than all. Christ paid all: now we get all for NOTHING. "FREELY ye have received, freely give."