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Verse:The free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. —Romans 5:15
The manner in which a person receives the gift of salvation has been energetically debated down through the years.
Sometimes that debate has become pointed, hostile, and even deadly. Thankfully, the Bible is clear on the subject. As Paul wrote, the gift of salvation cannot be purchased or earned. It will never be deserved but is given freely to those who have faith in the Savior. Those who possess saving faith believe not only that Jesus is the Savior of the world who died for the sins of humanity but also that He will certainly give the gift of salvation to any and all who genuinely ask to receive it.
There is little a person can get for free. It is commonly believed that if something seems too good to be true, then it is too good to be true.
Many “free” offers are free until you read the fine print. But the greatest things in this life —forgiveness, pardon, and eternal life— are offered totally free with no strings attached. Jesus died for all “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus died so that “whoever” wants salvation might be saved and not lost (John 3:16), and still today, He is “able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). Although the gift of salvation is entirely free, a person does give something in order to receive it.
Jesus gives His perfect righteousness to all who surrender their heart to Him. Salvation is a transaction. God says in Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Surrender to Jesus allows Him to take possession of your heart and give you the assurance of eternal salvation.
When you yield your heart to Him, He becomes its rightful owner and remakes your life in His image.