I hear a lot about “free grace.” I hear people say that
grace is a gift freely given, we do nothing to
First let me say that the Bible clearly says that grace is a
gift freely given that we could never earn or deserve.
Ephesians 2:8-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
For by grace you have been
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the
gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
So grace is free in the sense that we do not pay for it. But
grace was not free to God. In order for God to extend grace to us, He had to
pay a price to purchase it. And that price was the highest He could pay. In a
sense, He bought our grace with the blood of His Son. It was Jesus’ death on
the cross that paid the debt for our sin so that we could be made right with
God. God the Father sacrificed His Son so that He could extend grace to us.
Grace is the most expensive gift I have ever been given. Grace is still free
for us, but it was costly to God.
So does grace cost us anything at all? Yes, it does. We do
not pay to receive grace but we pay to have it. Of course we don’t have to pay
to keep grace, if we did then it would not be grace. But grace does have a cost
in our lifestyles.
Romans 6:15-16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
What then? Shall we sin because we
are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you
not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves
for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting
in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
Many people think that because something is free, that it is
cheap and so not worth taking care of. Like the Dollar Store sunglasses that
you buy because you left your good pair at home, if you lose or break them it’s
no big deal because it cost you almost nothing. But grace is not like that.
Many think that because grace is free they can use it however they want and do
whatever they want because “you are saved by grace not works”, but it was not
meant to be that way. If they truly understood the real value of grace they
would treasure it above all else. They would realize what grace cost the Giver
and live a life of gratitude not of selfishness.
A life that truly understands the worth of grace will see
that we were not given grace, freed from sin, so that we could do what we want.
We were freed so that we could have a relationship with God and live a life
devoted to Him that is otherwise impossible. We could never truly live for God
without grace because 1) without salvation we are enslaved to sin and have no
capability of righteousness, and 2) we can never be good enough or do enough
good works to earn that standing. It is only through the precious blood of
Christ that we are capable of it. It’s not that there are strings attached
because, again, we can’t earn or deserve anything by what we do. The point is
that a true understanding of grace and Christian liberty reveals the purpose of
that grace and liberty: living for God.
Galatians 2:20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
I have been crucified with Christ;
and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Grace frees us from sin so that we are not bound to sin any
longer. If we really understood the debt that was paid on our behalf we would
spend every waking minute trying to think of ways to thank God for it. One of
those ways is by living in obedience to His Word. Jesus said,
John 14:21 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“He who has My commandments and keeps them
is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father,
and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
By being obedient we are showing our reverent love for God.
It is not supposed to be out of duty or a desire to earn something, but out of
love. It is also through obedience that we become more like God. And we honor
God by being like Him. That is how we show appreciation for the gift. It’s not
that we have to, insincere thanks are bitter to the taste. But we should want
to. We should be so filled with gratitude that we desire to give up our own
plans in order to show that gratitude to God, and to others, to let the world
know of the wonderful gift we have been given. We should pursue a true
understanding of the Gospel so that we know what we have and what He gave.
So how much do you really understand the Gospel? What is
grace worth to you?
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