Costly But Free
COSTLY BUT FREE
Read Romans 6:20-23.
Gabriella went with her mother to the drugstore and then to Mrs. Navarro’s house. Mom often visited the older woman, bringing cookies or cake. Today she brought medicine.
“I don’t have money to pay for that right now,” Mrs. Navarro said.
Mom smiled. “I know. That’s why Gabriella and I got it today—so we could bring it to you as a small gift.”
Mrs. Navarro shook her head. “Oh, no,” she argued. “I won’t take it unless I can pay for it.”
Mom spoke softly and kindly. “There are two reasons why we want to give this to you. The first reason is that we love you and want to see you get well again.”
The elderly woman looked up. “And what’s the second reason?” she asked.
“To use it as an illustration,” answered Mom. “We’ve talked with you about receiving Christ as your Savior, but we don’t know if you’ve ever done it.”
The sick woman said, “No, I haven’t. I never felt like I had anything to offer God.”
“All we need to do is offer ourselves,” Mom answered. “Salvation is free.”
“Free?” Mrs. Navarro repeated. “But I think it should cost something.”
“It did! It cost Jesus His life,” said Mom. “He was willing to die because He loves us, but He also came back to life. Now He’s offering free salvation to all who will accept it.”
Gabriella said, “It’s just like the medicine. If you accept the gift, the medicine is free to you.”
“Gabriella’s right,” Mom continued. “Will you accept both our gift—and God’s?”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Salvation was provided by Jesus Christ. It cost Him His life. But He offers it to anyone who will accept it, and there is no charge. It’s free!
TO MEMORIZE:
People are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
Romans 4:5
JESUS PAID FOR SIN.
From the book
