Grace Is Free!            

Romans 3:24

 

     The word "freely" is used seventeen times in the Word of God. In every case, since the fall of Adam, with only one exception, it has a direct connection to grace, either the grace of God operating toward his people or the grace of God operating in his people. Grace is always free. Conditional grace is not grace, but works parading in the name of grace.

     THE LOVE OF GOD FOR HIS ELECT, THE FOUNTAIN OF GRACE, IS FREE. He declared of old, "I will love them freely!" (Hos. 14:4). What human mind can grasp the thought of free love? All human love is caused, conditional, and qualified. Only the love of God is free, uncaused, unconditional, unqualified! In free love he chose us to be his people (Deut. 7:7-9). In free love he sacrificed his dear Son upon the cursed tree and redeemed us (Rom. 5:8; I John 4:10). In free love he called us to life and faith in Christ by the power of his Holy Spirit (Jer. 31:3). In free love he forgives all our sin and keeps us in his grace (Hos. 14:1-4).

     JUSTIFICATION, OUR RIGHTEOUS STANDING BEFORE GOD, COMES TO REDEEMED SINNERS FREELY, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). Justification is being made righteous by God. It involves both the forgiveness of all sin and the imputation of perfect righteousness, even the righteousness of God in Christ. This justification comes to guilty sinners freely by God's matchless grace. However, it comes only through the redemptive work of Christ. Justification is free to us. We obtain it by faith in Christ, without works. But it cost our dear Savior everything, even his life's precious blood!

     CHRIST, THE EXALTED REDEEMER, FREELY GIVES SALVATION, IN ITS ENTIRETY, TO NEEDY SINNERS. He says, "I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely" (Rev. 21:6). Salvation is a gift, a free gift; but it is a gift that must be taken by faith. And the Lord Jesus Christ graciously invites you and me to take his free gift. He says, "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17).

 

 

Don Fortner