10.15.07
“IT’S FREE!”
Isaiah 55:1-2
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”
We were at the home of some friends one evening. The husband of one of the couples was asked about his trip to the mountains to get “free” firewood. (I think it was his wife who cynically requested it.)
John began to tell about his wood gathering ordeal over the past three years. The first year he had such a heavy load that it destroyed the transmission on his pick-up. The cost to repair was astronomical! Last year he was using the chain saw to cut the wood into links when it slipped and tore into his leg. Again the cost was astronomical and also painful!
This year seemed to be different. He made it all the way home to his yard with a full load of “free” firewood and no costly accidents. He got out and removed his chain saw before backing up to the wood pile. As he got back into the pick-up and started backing up, he heard a crunch and bang. He got out to see what it was and discovered that he had run over his chain saw (ruining it) and also had blown one of his brand new tires. (But it was “free” firewood!). We laughed ourselves silly listening to his tale of woes.
I think we can all relate to his ordeal in trying to get something “free.” Very often when we embark on such as things as wood gathering, hunting trips or fishing expeditions, we might bring something home but it usually far from being “free.” More often than not, it costs far more than if we had purchased it.
Since that evening of laughter, I have thought about how in a similar fashion some people seek after a “free” spiritual experience. Now while salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ is freely given, it certainly is not “free.” It was not “free” for the Lord and it is not “free” for those who come to Him. What is the cost of becoming Christ’s disciples? Everything!
There are some who try to earn salvation by actions. They seem to have the idea that if they do some good deed it will qualify them for heaven. Perhaps we have all heard stories about St. Peter standing at the gates of heaven looking over the list of good and bad things a person has done. More good than bad?–they get in. More bad than good?–they are on their way to hell. Beeep!! Wrong answer!
It is not our good deeds which will determine our eternal destiny. It is whether or not our name is recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Our name is recorded there when we confess our sins and invite the Lord Jesus to come into our life and be our Savior and Lord.
God does not simply want our possessions, but our very life. He demands all of us. Can we meet all of those expectations? Hardly! Consider what the apostle Paul says about the matter of commitment in Philippians 3:13-14: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
God’s “free” gift of eternal life is worth the price we have to pay. “Only one life, t’will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last!”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil