"Nothing is free anymore!" is the frustrating statement of many of us who have watched prices escalate out of sight. Will it ever end?
What can stop inflation or the deficit or world debt?
I've got good news for you. The greatest thing you could ever receive in this life is absolutely free and will always be free. It comes from God, and it's yours for the asking. It is a gift. It lasts forever and can never be taken away from you! Please read on and consider 6 characteristics of this gift caned "Eternal Life".
1. Unsolicited Gift
When we say "unsolicited" we mean to say we did not ask for it. It was provided before man knew he had a need of it. Man did not ask for a Savior to give him eternal life, God saw the need and provided the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2. Unlimited Gift
Jesus Christ is God's gift to the whole world, not just a few chosen people or those who think they are in the "only true religion". This gift is for anyone! I John 2:2 says, "He is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17. Yes, God's gift, Jesus Christ, is an unlimited gift.
3. Unspeakable Gift
II Corinthians 9:15 says, "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." Mere words cannot describe the gift of God's Son. It is an exercise in futility to try to describe the love of God. Why God would sacrifice His Son for people who hate Him, curse Him, sin and rebel is beyond me. So many have no time at all for God, yet He loves them still, and in a heartbeat will give them eternal life, absolutely free, if they'll receive it. That's unspeakable love!
4. Unchanging Gift
Jesus Christ, "the same yesterday, today and forever" declares the Bible. (Hebrews 13:8). The same Jesus who lived 2000 years ago and went about doing good to people, helping others, forgiving their sins, reconciling them to God, forgiving the thief on the cross in his dying moments, etc. exists today. He is at the right hand of the Father, to make intercession for us.
Times change, styles change, people change, attitudes and tastes change, history and math books change, nearly everything we know of changes, but Jesus Christ is God's unchanging gift. All that Jesus is, He has always been, and all that He has been or is, He will every be. Yes, Jesus Christ, God's gift, is unchanging.
5. Undeserved Gift
The very fact that salvation and eternal life are gifts indicates that it is undeserved. If it is earned, worked for or deserved, it is no longer a gift, but a payment or reward. A gift is something offered with no strings attached. Eternal life is wholly of grace. Ephesians 2:8,9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any many should boast." So, if we cannot earn our salvation, then there is only one way for us to enjoy it -Yes, it must be a gift received. God's gift, Jesus Christ, is an undeserved gift.
6. Unclaimed Gift
It grieves me to think of how many who have never received God's gift as their personal Savior. He is an unclaimed gift.
Can you imagine the hurt in God's heart to extend eternal life to all through His Son, and to have so many refuse it? How sad the giver must feel to think that His gift is unwanted. How sad to imagine that after sacrifice and expense, the gift is unclaimed and unopened.
My dear friend, if you have never claimed God's gift, Jesus Christ, as your personal Savior from sin, my prayer is that today you will receive Him and claim Him. Don't let your pride stop you or your good works or even religion. The greatest thing in life is absolutely free! It's eternal life.
If it is your desire to come to God through Jesus Christ, and trusting that God will meet you right where you are, humbly bow your heart to God and pray these words of request for salvation. Do it right now. Pray, "Dear Heavenly Father, realizing that I am a sinner, and am unworthy of eternal life, I receive Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, and accept the free gift of eternal life. Please save me and have mercy on me and take me to Heaven when I die. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Both sides of the coin of this truth are found in Romans 6:23. It says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord."
