The Price of Salvation

"I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior."
-John Newton (1725–1807)

Salvation is free.

You don't buy it.  You cannot earn it.

Salvation is free, but it comes at a cost.

Truthfully, salvation comes at a steep cost.  While salvation is a free offer from God to those who will believe, it cost God the Father His only begotten Son- Jesus Christ.

For you were bought at a price... - 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV)

The Lord offers us salvation as the "gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).  He showed us mercy, not giving us what we deserved for our sins, and showed us grace by offering what we did not deserve.  Salvation is the ultimate gift of God to the world through His Son's atoning sacrifice as the Lamb of God.

Let us truly believe and accept God's gift with all thankfulness.  Open your eyes to the riches and treasures of everlasting life offered through the sacrifice of the Savior.  Let us who believe open mouths to speak freely about the freedom that we have gained through Christ just as we have opened our hearts to gain such freedom to live in Christ.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,


-Psalm 107:2-3 (NKJV)

From Eden to Egypt- Day 46

37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

- Genesis 45:37-40 (NIV)

Joseph started out the day in prison.  That very morning started for Joseph behind bars.  He began his day with prison as his abode.

That wasn't how his day ended.

At some point during the day, someone summoned Joseph.  A message was passed down the chain of command that Pharaoh wanted to see Joseph.  The jailers and guards had get the prisoner and send him under armed guard to the palace to meet with the king of Egypt. 

Imagine the rumors and buzz that went throughout the prison cells that day. Think of the curious looks that must have come across numerous faces as the message was read to those who guarded Joseph that Pharaoh wanted to see the young man at once.  Picture the change in atmosphere as Joseph walked up from the depths of the dark dungeons to the corridors that lead to the awaiting king.  Imagine what must have gone through his mind as he took a step into the presence of the most powerful man in the world, the ruler of Egypt. 

Think of how much God can intervene on your behalf.  He can open doors in an instant.  He can work in your favor without you having to lift a single finger. For those who subscribe to Murphy's Law, believing that if it can go wrong that it will go wrong, you have to see that God has a law higher than Murphy's Law.  If you believe in karma, you truly have to see that God has grace and favor for the obedient and faithful.  Karma doesn't do what God's unmerited favor is capable of doing in your lives.  When you look at Joseph's life, you see favor from God on display before men.  That's the difference God can make in our lives daily.