What Will It Cost Me To Be Saved?
"Just what will it cost me to be saved? one man asked. The answer is: IT WILL COST YOU ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! If you are thinking in terms of buying it, or of earning it, it will cost you absolutely nothing. That's right. Here is the most prized and precious possession and it is absolutely free. You see, eternal life is a gift of God. (Romans 6:23) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9) You cannot work your way to heaven, for salvation is "not of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost." (Titus 3:5) God loved us and gave his only begotten son as a sacrifice for our sins. (John 3:16; Heb. 10:9 -10) If we neglect the salvation that Jesus can give there is no way to escape eternal damnation (Heb. 2:3), for "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Heb. 10:26) The precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and with-spot, was the price of our salvation. (I Peter 1:18) And Jesus paid it all! "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2:24)
Not only has Jesus paid the price for our salvation, he also invites all to come to him and be saved. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11: 28) "And the Spirit and the bride say come. And let him that heareth say Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:17) My friend, you cannot buy the gift of God with money. (See Acts 8:20) But salvation can be yours and it will cost you absolutely nothing. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).
IT WILL COST YOU EVERYTHING! Yes, your salvation and eternal life will cost you everything, for it will cost you your whole life. Jesus said, "If any man come to me and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." That is, by comparison to his love for Jesus his love for all others must be less. Some are unwilling to love their families less than they love the Lord. Jesus knew this, for he said, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And, he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." (Matt.. 10:35-39)
Yes, being a faithful disciple of Christ will cost everything you have. Your talent; your energies; your mind; your body; your all and all. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. 6:24) You cannot have divided affection. The first and greatest commandment is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matt. 19). The one talent man was denied it because he refused to use his talent. (Matt. 25). If you would be saved and have the hope of eternal life, then without reservation you must come to Christ in humble obedience to his will - which involves repenting of all sins and being baptized (see Acts 2:38) - and you must present your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom. 12:1) Yes, you must give your life your all, to Jesus.
The apostle Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)
When you give your whole life for salvation you will still be the winner. Saul of Tarsus gave up everything to be a disciple of Christ. Later he wrote, "But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." (Phil. 3:7-9).
Whatever the price, whatever the cost of your salvation, heaven will surely be worth it all. Jesus asked, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26).
"Just what will it cost me to be saved?" It cost you nothing at all - Jesus paid the cost. It cost you everything! Your life, your all and all you must give to Jesus.
--Box 204, Butler, Missouri 64730