Ask a Pastor Column

Q: How can salvation be a “free gift” when those who receive it feel obliged to study the Bible, pray, donate money to churches and evangelize? Are these things not a sort of real cost attached to this “free gift”?

A: If these things were a requirement for accepting salvation, then the thief on the cross would have been out of luck (Luke 23:39-43). He did not have time to do any of those things before he died! All he could do was believe, which is all any of us can do to receive salvation (John 3:18). It is truly a free gift, and that’s the whole point!

God demonstrated through the Old Testament Law that requiring right behavior naturally brings problems (Galatians 3:10-13). In Christ, He laid down all that He was entitled to as our Creator and offered everything we need as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9), trusting that the impact of that free gift on a willing heart would provide all the motivation we needed to make the needed changes He desired us to make in our lives (II Corinthians 5:14-15; Titus 2:11-14).

Those who are considering becoming a Christian should by all means understand that faith in Christ is a life-changing event (II Corinthians 5:17). We have no need to hide or conceal the impact that Jesus can make on a sinner’s life, and the Christian responsibilities listed in this question are by no means a way of “balancing accounts” with God. They are beneficial habits that help a Christian overcome harmful habits and remain healthy and balanced in life (Colossians 3:12-17). It is also an opportunity to gain further reward from our Heavenly Father (Philippians 4:17-19).

There are some who are so touched and moved by their salvation that they decide to give thanks-offerings to Him from their time or finances (Romans 12:1). This is (or should be) completely voluntary and those who consider this step are encouraged to “count the cost” of their commitment (Luke 14:25-33). In the end, you could say that the entire Christian life consists of offering free gifts to God who offered His free gift to us (Ephesians 4:1-3; Romans 12:1; etc.)!

When understood and approached properly, the Christian life requires no external motivation, no arm-twisting, and no pressure because the grace that God shows us and Christians’ love for one another both provide internal motivation. Christian leaders are taught by the Bible to use relationship, appeal, service and example to lead others rather than force, manipulation or control (I Peter 5:1-4; etc.). Even the Apostles regularly used language like “beseech” or “plead” in their interactions with the churches they served (Romans 12:1; 2 John 5; etc.).

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