I had to chuckle when I opened my email and read an offer for a free gift card.  That’s right, free.  When I spend $100, the merchant will give me a free gift card in the amount of $15.

I’d like to make the same offer to you:  For every $100 you place in my hand, I’ll give you $15 in return—no stipulation, no fine print, and no questions asked!  It’s free!

Evidently there is some disparity between that merchant’s idea of free and my understanding of the word.  One the many meanings of free is “no charge.”

This two word definition also sheds some light on the nature of salvation.  It is a “no charge” salvation because Jesus has paid the price of sin.  According to Scripture:

• You were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body (I Corinthians 6:20).
• The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
• God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the payment for our sins (I John 4:9-10).

The gift of salvation is exactly that—a free gift from God at the expense of Christ.

. . . by the way my free offer still stands:  $15 for every $100 you give me.