The Cost of Salvation

There is a maxim in economics that says: “there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch,” or “TANSTAFL.”  In other words, even if you got it without paying for it, someone, somewhere, at some point in time had to pay for it.

This may be true of the world, Christians often say, but there is something God offers the world for free—without cost: salvation. This, they say, is proven by the following passages of Scripture:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” Eph. 2:8,9

“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Rom 5:18

It is clear from these verses that God now offers salvation to mankind free of charge. That’s right, no one has to pay anything for it, or do something to attain it other than simply receive it as one would receive any gift; with gratitude and thanksgiving.

But just because it is freely offered to us doesn’t mean it didn’t cost anything, which is the impression a lot of modern day “feel good” preaching often leaves when presenting the “Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” message.

On the contrary, it was very costly, for God gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ ((John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.)) , as a sacrifice for sin ((2 Cor 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.)) , “a ransom for all,” ((1 Tim 2:5-6  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.)) in order that He could freely offer salvation to all. Indeed, it says that we, those of us who have accepted God’s offer of salvation as a free gift, “are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s,”  ((1 Cor 6:20))

Mike Schroeder

Are you saved? Jesus Christ—“who knew no sin”—and his sacrificial death on the Cross, has made the way for “everyone that believeth” to be reconciled to God.  History has shown that whatever peace man has achieved in the world can only be temporary.  The Bible says that individual men and women can know, beyond a doubt, that they are saved and bound for heaven, and therefore have absolute and permanent peace by trusting Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for their eternal salvation.  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures….for our justification….believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” ((1 Cor. 15:3,4; Rom. 4:25; Acts 16:31))   Have you done this? If not, why not now?