April 30, 2017 (Proverbs 25:2)

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter” (Prov 25:2). Scripture clearly describes salvation as a “free gift”  of God (e.g. Rev 22:17), the reason being our redemption was so extraordinarily cost to God. No one can possibly earn his own way to heaven, our most righteous deeds being as filthy rags in the sight of God. However this undeniable fact of salvation being a “free gift” has been distorted by false prophets and their messages of ‘cheap grace’ to imply nothing is required of those who’d receive the gift. This deception is so widespread as to raise serious doubt as to the legitimate salvation of most professing evangelicals today. My experience is common, in that I attended a ‘mega-church’ for a number of years and watched thousands asked to repeat a ‘sinner’s prayer’ with no discussion whatsoever of God’s demand for repentance. The same experience was encountered in smaller evangelical and pentecostal churches as well, the idea of believers being expected to suffer any loss let alone suffering being as far from the offer of salvation as east is from west. But when one searches out the matter, it quickly is found that ‘cheap grace’ is a lie of the father of lies Satan. Indeed, to receive the “free gift” from the One who paid the price with His shed blood is explained by none other than Jesus Himself: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:29). One is likewise advised to read verses 57-62 in chapter 9 of Luke’s gospel and then let the Holy Spirit speak to the heart, making a decision as to whether or not becoming a disciple of Jesus is cost-free. Let us not be deceived in this regard. It is a spiritual principle that one reaps what he sows.