The cynical often says “nothing is really ever free”. But this book, the Bible, speaks of the greatest free gift of all: eternal life.
This is offered by God to all humanity,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The apostolic writings tell us this gift of grace is received simply through faith. Jesus says:
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)
Though humans had plunged themselves in bondage, slaves to sin, God has been merciful and graceful.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
If you’re not a born-again Christian, I invite you to read the Gospel of John. John himself wrote:
“But these [things] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31).
The Gospel of John has all you need for you to believe and receive God’s free gift of eternal life.
If you’re a Christian, I simply suggest you pass this on to someone who is not.
Either way, remember that the cynical is partially right. No, I am not taking back what I wrote above. I simply agree with Roger Hancock when he said
“Nothing is ever free, though to you it be. Somewhere, somehow, someone paid”.
God offers eternal life truly freely to everyone who believes in the Christ. But let us all remember that somewhere, somehow, someone paid for it: it was Jesus, through his painful and brutal death on a Roman cross, just outside Jerusalem. But do not worry, it was His free choice:
No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. (John 10:18)
Just has had been prophesied by Isaiah over 600 years before Christ:
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.(Isaiah 53:5,10)
Rejoice, for Jesus says:
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last […] I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!” (Revelation 1:17-18)
This is a note I once left with a Bible in the locker of a former workplace of mine. Found it again, and thought of giving it a more permanent home here. Minor edits here and there, but otherwise identical to the original.
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