Salvation is free, but the life of faith can be costly indeed!
The history of Christianity is one of untold sacrifice by countless followers of Christ. They have given their lives in the darkest parts of the globe to share the gospel, stood and spoken the truth in love in loveless times, carried the burdens of others so that others may know Christ, and given time, money, talents, and security to be used in advancing the kingdom.
We are the beneficiaries of a myriad of Christians who lived their lives so that others might benefit. Their focus was on what they could do by the power of Christ for others.
In tragic contrast today, a growing number of those who claim to be followers of Christ are intently eager to evaluate how much God loves them by how much He gives them.
We should ask, are we any better than Christians who preceded us, more valuable to God or more righteous or more deserving? No, a thousand times no! We are called, just as Christ called them, to live so that others might know Christ.
“And others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:36-40).
