Today at fellowship, a young lady who was visiting wanted to purchase some material produced by the pastor. She didn't have the exact change in order to make the purchase. When a friend of hers searched her purse for the correct funds I chimed, "Just take it." The young lady was surprised that I said that and didn't feel comfortable doing it. I reassured her that I was not encouraging her to steal, but knowing the pastor's heart on such situations I knew he would tell her just to take what she wanted. The pastor is more interested in getting the material out and in circulation moreso than always being compensated for it. She was also surprised that nobody was manning the table in order to make sure transactions were being done in an honest manor. I am not sure what the outcome of her situation was, but a few minutes later I noticed her having a conversation with the pastor. He walked over to the table and grabbed a CD set on Spiritual Warfare and gave it her. In effect, this proved my point. He was more interested that she get answers to her questions than getting reimbursed for the products. Now, don't get me wrong, we all know that to produce materials costs money, but in this particular case that wasn't the issue. It reminded me of what we are celebrating today.
When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the salvation He offers in His life, many people find it hard to believe that something so powerful is free. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)." The reason God's offer of eternal life in Christ is free is because the price we would have to pay to receive it is too high for any man, woman or child to pay. The other day I was speaking to a coworker about salvation. When I talked about it being a free gift her response was "that is too easy." Too easy? You see, like everyone of us, we have a hard time accepting gifts. We always feel that we must earn something rather than be given something. Ever notice how embarrassed people get if they have to accept charity. In many cases it makes them feel worthless as if they have failed at life and need the help of others. Our pride will not allow us to simply say thank you and accept a gift.
It is understandable why it is difficult to accept a gift, especially the gift of eternal life from the Creator of the universe. After all, nearly everything else we achieve in this life is earned or cost money, which is earned. Religion feeds off this idea and millions fall right in line because it is what they are used to doing. Nearly every religion on earth, Christianity included, is full of teachings designed to get you to be acceptable to God if you only do what they say. If you would only do what is good and avoid what is evil you will be pleasing to God. This appeals to the flesh, but ultimately will not reward the individual with what they seek. "For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law (Galatians 3:21)." If we could earn eternal life than Jesus would not have had to come. God already had the law in place to show us what He demanded of us in order to be like Him. Yet, even if we had obeyed it completely, we would not have received eternal life for our efforts. That is something that we should meditate on whenever we feel we are pleasing to God by our perceived righteous behavior.
When this lady today wanted to purchase the materials she was doing the right thing. They were in fact for sale at a price. However, when what she desired was offered to her as a free gift she initially balked at the offer. But, when the pastor gave it to her, she freely accepted. While she could have affored the material we, on the other hand, could not afford the price of salvation. We can't even live up to God's law, but somehow think we can earn salvation. In His love for us, God has freely offered eternal life as a gift to all who accept it. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. In love "he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:5-6)." None of us would consider charging others for sharing the Gospel with them. Yet, we some how think we must pay God for offering eternal life in His Son to us. If you are an unbeliever all you have to do with the offer of eternal life in Christ is to accept it. If you are a believer, accept the fact that you have freely been given eternal life and are not required to compensate the Lord for His gift.
No comments:
Post a Comment