Free But Not Cheap

 

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

        When we come to Christ and ask Him to be our Savior, we are truly amazed of the free gift which God has given. True repentance helps us to realize that we did deserve a harsh and painful eternal death. But the free grace of God will now lavish upon us the greatness of God Himself. God’s grace makes it evident that all we need is faith. Paul says, “⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it isthe gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9).

        Even though the gift of salvation is free, it cost the Lord Jesus His very life. Anything in life that is free ends up costing someone to pay the price. Jesus was willing to go to any length to insure a place in heaven for you and me.

        After coming to Christ, we need to realize that the freedom that is in Christ is free and an extremely freeing way to walk, but it also is not cheap. When we take a stand for Christ, there is freedom in obedience, but this may separate us from friends and/or family. We need to examine what we value most. Is it the approval of men or the approval of God?

        When we stand firm in temptation, we will find true freedom in obedience, but it will not be easy. Looking to God in faith when all else around us either looks bleak or enticing. Forsaking sin may be one of the most difficult trials that we will face. But, the price that we “pay” for standing firm has much greater benefits. When we stand firm now instead of yielding to lust or the many other evils that our heart can imagine, we will find greater strength and blessing by trusting in God other than yielding to compromise. Once again, obedience is free (and freeing), but it is not cheap. We may have to pay the price of rejection or the price of bearing a cross for a time. But the blessings and benefits are always worth it.

         We need to realize that sin is enslaving, but obedience frees us and empowers us unto righteousness. Paul says, “¹⁵What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! ¹⁶ Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”(NKJV, Rom 6:15-16).

        Thoughts, comments, objections, prayer requests?

Daniel A. Smith