Goodboy
Just waiting for the Rapture at this point!
Is Salvation a Free Gift or a Bargain?
Here are two scenarios…
1. Let’s say that Ford wants to get rid of all of their Mustang sport cars as fast as possible to make room for their totally new designed models. In fact, they plan to almost give away the older Mustangs. They will now be selling their older $36,000 Mustangs for just $500 cash, or if you don’t have the cash you can utilize their monthly payment plan. Now that’s a real bargain. In fact, almost anyone who had $500 would purchase a Mustang and those who did not have $500 would utilize the payment plan.
2. Let’s say that General Motors wants to get rid of their older Corvette’s even more than Ford wants to get rid of their Mustangs. So General Motors decides to give away their older Corvette’s. All you have to do is to come down to the dealership and they will give one to you.
So which of the two scenarios above would you say is a free gift? Your answer should be scenario number 2. While anyone would be very happy with either scenario, scenario 1 is not a free gift, but a great bargain. For it to be a free gift, no payment before, during or after can be required.
So what does that have to do with salvation?
Both the old and current orthodox Jews actually believe that salvation is a bargain. Meaning they are quite willing to try to live by all the laws God gave them in this life in exchange for eternal salvation in Heaven. While I would totally agree that would be a great bargain, the problem is that we are not able to keep God’s laws because of our sinful flesh.
If you as a Christian believe that there is something that you need to do or not do now or in the future, then you believe like the Jews that salvation is a bargain as you are able to attain a lot for a little. However, if salvation is in fact a free gift, then just like in scenario 2 above, there would be absolutely nothing you would have to do other than receive it now or in the future in order to attain it.
So then I ask you is salvation a free gift or a great bargain?
Webster’s Dictionary - Bargain
Something that is bought or sold for a price which is lower than the actual value : something bought or sold at a good price
Webster’s Dictionary - Gift
Something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
Webster’s Dictionary - Free
Not costing or charging anything
Romans 5:15 - But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many
Romans 5:16 - And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 - Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 11:6 - 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.
Galatians 5:4 - Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Is God a liar? Is God sneaky? Would God try to trick or fool us?
There is ONLY one thing required to receive a gift. You must accept it.
The Bible say’s that salvation is not only a gift, but a Free Gift.
If you have to do anything other than accept it now or in the future, then it is no longer Free, and no longer a Gift!
Goodboy
Here are two scenarios…
1. Let’s say that Ford wants to get rid of all of their Mustang sport cars as fast as possible to make room for their totally new designed models. In fact, they plan to almost give away the older Mustangs. They will now be selling their older $36,000 Mustangs for just $500 cash, or if you don’t have the cash you can utilize their monthly payment plan. Now that’s a real bargain. In fact, almost anyone who had $500 would purchase a Mustang and those who did not have $500 would utilize the payment plan.
2. Let’s say that General Motors wants to get rid of their older Corvette’s even more than Ford wants to get rid of their Mustangs. So General Motors decides to give away their older Corvette’s. All you have to do is to come down to the dealership and they will give one to you.
So which of the two scenarios above would you say is a free gift? Your answer should be scenario number 2. While anyone would be very happy with either scenario, scenario 1 is not a free gift, but a great bargain. For it to be a free gift, no payment before, during or after can be required.
So what does that have to do with salvation?
Both the old and current orthodox Jews actually believe that salvation is a bargain. Meaning they are quite willing to try to live by all the laws God gave them in this life in exchange for eternal salvation in Heaven. While I would totally agree that would be a great bargain, the problem is that we are not able to keep God’s laws because of our sinful flesh.
If you as a Christian believe that there is something that you need to do or not do now or in the future, then you believe like the Jews that salvation is a bargain as you are able to attain a lot for a little. However, if salvation is in fact a free gift, then just like in scenario 2 above, there would be absolutely nothing you would have to do other than receive it now or in the future in order to attain it.
So then I ask you is salvation a free gift or a great bargain?
Webster’s Dictionary - Bargain
Something that is bought or sold for a price which is lower than the actual value : something bought or sold at a good price
Webster’s Dictionary - Gift
Something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
Webster’s Dictionary - Free
Not costing or charging anything
Romans 5:15 - But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many
Romans 5:16 - And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 - Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 11:6 - 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.
Galatians 5:4 - Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Is God a liar? Is God sneaky? Would God try to trick or fool us?
There is ONLY one thing required to receive a gift. You must accept it.
The Bible say’s that salvation is not only a gift, but a Free Gift.
If you have to do anything other than accept it now or in the future, then it is no longer Free, and no longer a Gift!
Goodboy
