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.
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.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 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.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
In society today the concept of FREE had been changed and even de-valued the term.
I recall when the Obama phones came out.. People lined up to get their FREE phone.. When interviewed as to where the money came to pay for the phone.. People argued that the phone was free, it had no cost.. They couldn’t realize that while the phone may have been free to them.. The phone had a price that was paid for by others. (taxes)
Salvation today has been lost in this mix of FREE. Salvation has lost its value to many because there is no Perceived value.
Perceived Value is the understanding of the cost of something regardless of the price.
Consider a Christmas present..
People are not told, nor do they realize that the Gift that Christ gave, to those who would receive it… Cost Him His very life.
Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death…
The wage is a price, a cost, a debt to be paid.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Ezekiel 18:20a The soul that sinneth, it shall die…
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Jesus Chose to pay for our sins.
John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
And then give it to us as a gift
Romans 6:23b …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:
But it must be received.
1 John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
How much is salvation worth to you… did you receive the gift and perceive it as no value?
I think why so many Christians in this world today are just spectators and not participants of the faith is that the don’t realize just how much their freedom cost.
We throw out the word FREE so much…
Do you realize the price that Christ paid for the gift He freely gives tonight?