Almost Free?

When my daughter and son-in-law traveled abroad recently, they encountered the familiar chorus of street vendors at every tourist destination. Desperate to move their merchandise, these sellers would shout to passersby, "Almost free! Almost free!"

The phrase "almost free" is clever marketing, but it reveals an important truth: "almost free” still costs something. Almost free means you'll need to reach for your wallet. Almost free confirms what we've always known—nothing in life comes without a price. My father's wisdom echoes in my mind: "There are no free lunches." From childhood, we learn that everything worthwhile must be earned through effort and payment.

This universal understanding makes the Gospel message so revolutionary.

When God extends His offer of salvation, He doesn't shout "Almost free!" from the heavens. Instead, He whispers something that defies everything we think we know about how the world works: "Absolutely free."

The Scriptures declare this stunning truth repeatedly:

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV) — For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:5 (NIV) — He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

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

John 3:16 (NIV) — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Salvation cannot be purchased, earned, or negotiated. Grace flows from God's mercy alone. Even if we attempted to earn our way to God, no amount of good works could ever suffice to pay the debt we owe.

Understanding the complete freedom of God's gift transforms how we see four crucial truths:

First, this gift reveals the devastating reality of sin. The fact that only God Himself could pay the price shows how utterly offensive our rebellion is to His perfect holiness. Any suggestion that we could contribute to our salvation diminishes the gravity of sin and insults God's purity.

Second, this gift showcases God's incomprehensible love. The Father's willingness to sacrifice His Son demonstrates love beyond human comprehension. Only God could bear the infinite cost of our sin, and He chose to do so not because we deserved it, but because He loves us.

Third, this gift should ignite our worship and service. When we truly grasp that our salvation cost us nothing but cost God everything, gratitude becomes the natural response. Our service flows not from duty or fear, but from hearts overflowing with thanksgiving.

Fourth, this gift eliminates all grounds for spiritual pride. Since we all stand as sinners saved by the same undeserved grace, we have no basis for looking down on others. Instead, we extend the same mercy we received to fellow sinners who desperately need what we freely received.

Tragically, many voices in our world promote an "almost free" gospel—salvation with strings attached, grace with conditions, mercy that must be earned or maintained through performance. These counterfeits rob God of glory and believers of peace.

Only an "absolutely free" gospel possesses the power to genuinely transform human hearts. Only an "absolutely free" gospel honors the magnitude of God's love and mercy.

The invitation stands open. The gift awaits. God calls to every person: "Absolutely free!"