The Free Gift

At some point in every person’s life, a fundamental question arises: Where did we come from? Is it evolution, a process of chance and time, or creation, the deliberate act of a sovereign God? This question isn’t just philosophical, it’s deeply personal, shaping how we view ourselves, our purpose, and our destiny.

If you long for the promise of eternal life, it begins with recognizing God as the Creator of all things. The Bible opens with a clear declaration:

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

This truth sets the stage for everything else. But why isn’t it enough to simply be baptized, attend church, or live as a "good person" to enter God’s Kingdom? Why do we all need to receive a gift we can’t earn?

The Problem of Sin

Scripture teaches that no one can stand before a holy God based on their own efforts. Our best attempts fall short:

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)
"But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 3:10 (NKJV)
"As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one.’"

No amount of good deeds can bridge the gap between us and God. Sin has separated us from His perfection, and we all bear its weight.

The Good News: A Price Paid

Here’s the incredible truth: God didn’t leave us in our hopelessness. He provided a way, His Son, Jesus Christ:

John 3:16 (NKJV)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus took the punishment we deserved, dying on the cross and rising again to conquer sin and death. This is the gift, offered freely to all who will accept it.

How Do You Receive This Gift?

Salvation isn’t about earning God’s favor; it’s about receiving what He’s already done:

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

John 5:24 (NKJV)
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

Romans 10:13 (NKJV)
"For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’"

Acts 16:30-31 (NKJV)
"And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’"

It’s beautifully simple: believe in Jesus, His death for your sins and His resurrection, and trust Him as your Savior.

The Cost of Rejection

But there’s a sobering reality for those who turn away from this gift:

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Revelation 20:14-15 (NKJV)
"Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

The stakes are eternal. Rejecting Jesus means bearing the penalty of sin yourself, separation from God forever.

Repentance and Faith: The Response God Seeks

So, how do you receive this gift? It’s more than intellectual agreement, it’s a heart transformation. The Bible calls for repentance and faith:

Acts 20:21 (NKJV)
"Testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

Repentance isn’t just feeling sorry; it’s a turning away from sin and toward God, grieving over how our actions have offended Him. Faith isn’t mere belief in facts, it’s trusting Jesus fully as your Savior and Lord, surrendering your life to Him. When you repent and believe, you experience the new birth, a supernatural moment where you pass from death to life.

Assurance of Salvation

Once you’ve trusted Christ, you belong to Him forever:

John 10:27-30 (NKJV)
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one."

Your salvation is secure, not because of your strength, but because of His.

What’s Next?

If you’ve repented and believed, don’t keep it to yourself:

Romans 10:10 (NKJV)
"For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Tell someone, share the good news of what God has done in your life! Then, dive into His Word. If you don’t have a Bible, get one, preferably the New King James Version for its clarity and faithfulness to the original texts. Start with the Gospel of John to see Jesus’ life and love unfold. Surround yourself with other believers by finding a church that teaches the Bible as God’s inspired truth.

Proverbs 23:12 (NKJV)
"Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge."

2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NKJV)
"And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Growing in Faith

Salvation is just the beginning. God desires you to grow in relationship with Him through prayer, reading His Word, and walking with others who love Him. This journey isn’t about perfection but about trusting His grace to shape you day by day. You’re part of His family now, loved, forgiven, and called to live for His glory.

We’d love to walk alongside you in this new life. God bless you as you step into His purpose and promises!