Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Grace in Focus Articles
→
FREE, Not Cheap

FREE, Not Cheap

October 1, 1988 by GES Webmaster in Grace in Focus Articles

By Brad McCoy

The idea that salvation from hell is a totally free gift is often ridiculed today. Many suggest that eternal salvation is very costly to us. They encourage people to whom they witness to count the cost of becoming a Christian.

However the Scriptures clearly and repeatedly speak of eternal salvation as a free gift which is without cost to us.

The Lord Jesus said to the woman at the well, “If you knew the gift of God . . . you would have asked . . . and He would have given you living water” (John 4:10).

Similarly John records these words of Jesus Christ in Revelation 21:6, “I will give to him who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” G. H. Lang said regarding this verse, “The water of life is not acquired by the process of fighting a life-long battle and conquering at last. It is a free gift, imparting spiritual life to the spiritually dead” (Revelation, p. 94; italics his).

Revelation 22:17 echoes this sentiment; “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one whom wishes take the water without cost.”

The Apostle Paul called eternal salvation a free gift (or gift) not less than nine times (Romans 3:24; 5:15 [twice], 16 [twice], 17; 6:23; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Ephesians 2:8). For example, in Romans 3:24 Paul said that believers are “justified freely by His grace.” Similarly, in Ephesians 2:8-9 he wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it [salvation] is the gift of God, not of works, lest any one should boast.”

James spoke of the new birth as a gift from God: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father . . . Of His own will He brought us forth [regenerated us] by the word of truth . . .” (James 1:17-18).

The author of the Book of Hebrews spoke of eternal salvation as “the heavenly gift” (Hebrews 6:4).

Clearly the New Testament is not at all reluctant to describe eternal salvation as a free gift.

Gospel proclamation which carefully and clearly offers to sinners eternal salvation as a free gift is far from being a false gospel as some charge today. Indeed, it is the one and only true gospel.

As ambassador for Christ we are to proclaim the good news that Jesus paid the complete price for our eternal salvation (2 Corinthians 8:9; Colossians 2:13-14; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:18-19. There is nothing left for us to pay. No cost to count. Just a free gift to receive by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. Now that is good news.

 


Brad McCoy is pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Shreveport, Louisiana and a member of the GES board.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Cart

Recently Added

February 8, 2023

How Do We Explain Passages that Seem to Indicate Repentance Is Needed for the Acquiring of Eternal Salvation?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are answering a question about repentance and what is necessary for Eternal Salvation....
February 8, 2023

Can I Dance and Still Be Saved?

Recently, I taught a Sunday school class at a Baptist church in the town of Aldama, Mexico. It’s about a four-hour drive south of El...
February 7, 2023

If You Throw Away or Abandon Your Faith, How Can You Still Be Saved?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates answer a question about “falling away from the faith.” What is the meaning...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Hardcover) $13.95 $5.00
  • Grudem Against Grace: A Defense of Free Grace Theology $15.00 $10.00
  • Confident in Christ, 2nd Edition $22.00 $5.00
  • Grace in Eclipse: A Study in Eternal Rewards (Second Edition) $15.00 $8.00
  • Inerrancy for Dummies $7.95 $5.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube