Financial times are tight, and families are learning just how far a dollar will stretch. One way to cut corners is by searching for the cheap. Coupons, commercials, sales ads, and the Internet are great ways to find bargains. But have you ever fallen victim to a cheap scam? You found a product you needed at an irresistible price, only to find it didn't work, broke quickly, or was such poor quality that you could barely use it. Typically, you have to march right back to the store and replace the item - which ends up costing you more than buying the slightly higher-priced item in the first place.
Sometimes a dirt-cheap product is just that - mostly dirt. Over time you learn which brands to avoid and which ones are worth the extra pennies, but even the savviest shoppers still buy the occasional lemon.
Cheap Salvation
The same concept applies to your spiritual life. In our culture, many have subscribed to a cheap salvation. They go to church a few times a year, believe in God, try to be good people, and think that's it. This kind of "faith" is easy to sell because it sounds good. But when they need it most, it doesn't work. Like a $3 pair of flip-flops, it's not going to last much past summer. Likewise, cheap faith doesn't produce change or offer true intimacy with God because it's not real salvation.
True Faith
Real salvation has a price. Romans 3:23 teaches, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We're all born into sin. Evil isn't what we do; it's who we are. Romans 3:10 confirms, "There is no one righteous, not even one." The cost of faith is so high, none of us could pay it, not with a lifetime of good works.
But there's good news. Romans 5:8 declares, "God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" John 3:16 echoes, "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." The true cost of salvation is found in the blood of Christ.
Although He never sinned, Jesus took our punishment on Himself. He was tortured and crucified in our place. This means you can't come to God through any of your own works. You can't do anything to earn God's love or His favor.
What it costs was covered by Christ. Your salvation has been made available by the complete work of Christ applied to your life. All of Him for all of you. Your will for His will. Your life becomes His because when you come to Him by faith, you give Him your life. Anything less is a cheap imitation.
Romans 10:9 proclaims: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." If you choose to believe Jesus died for your sins and to receive new life through Him, pray a prayer similar to this one: Dear God, I know I'm a sinner. I believe Jesus died to forgive me of my sins. I now accept Your offer of eternal life. Thank You for forgiving me. From this day forward, I will choose to follow You.
Thankfully, you aren't meant to follow Christ in isolation. Part of His plan includes uniting you with other believers to grow and serve together.
To learn more about salvation, baptism, and growing in the Lord, visit your local church and join a community of believers. If you'd like to speak with someone about how to have new life in Christ, call toll free (888) 537-8720.
This article is courtesy of HomeLife Magazine.