Being saved is as easy as receiving a gift (John 1:12).
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:
In Ephesians 2:8 (For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God), we learn that salvation is the gift of God. If someone were to give you a gift, would you have to pay for it? No.
- Therefore, do we need to pay for salvation? No.
- Who did pay for salvation? (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). (1 Peter 1:18-19. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot). God paid for our salvation with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
- What is the gift of God according to Romans 6:23? (For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord). We see that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:11. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
The Word through in Romans 6:23 should be translated in as 1 John 5:11. So Romans 6:23 should read: (For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord).
Let's see what happened when someone sought to purchase salvation with money.
Acts 8:18-20. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Salvation is as easy as receiving a gift. We can't work for it!. We can't pay for it. We can't earn it by our own efforts. All we can do is receive it. God's free gift of eternal life is to be found only in His Son.
According to 1 John 5:11-12, in order to have God's gift of eternal life, you must also have God's Son. (1 John 5:11-12. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life). Thus, to be saved, the sinner must receive a Person. According to John 3:16, what is God's love-gift to the world? (John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life). God's love gift to the world is his only begoten Son. The words only begotten mean one of a kind, unique.
In John 1:12, we learn that to become sons or children of God, there's something we must do. Let's see it (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). To become children of God, we must receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour.
Although we could never pay God back for the precious gift of His Son, what is one thing that we can say to God in appreciation for what He has done? Let's see. (2 Corinthians 9:15. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift). We can say thanks be unto God for this gift of eternal life in His Son).
Thank you Lord for saving my soul.
Thank you Lord for making me whole.
Thank you Lord for giving to me,
Thy great salvation so rich and Free.
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