Q:
I've heard preachers say that God gives us salvation as a free gift. But if that's true, then why doesn't God go ahead and give it to everyone? I guess I don't really understand this.
A:
One of the Bible’s greatest truths is that God offers us our salvation as a free gift. It isn’t something we can buy, nor is it something we can earn by our own good works. The Bible puts it this way: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
But the Bible also tells us two important truths about God’s gift of salvation. First, it tells us that it is a costly gift. Think of it this way. Suppose you wanted to express your love for someone by giving them a very fine gift. What would you have to do? Well, you’d first have to go to the store and buy it—and the finer the gift, the more it would cost you. To your friend, it’s a free gift, but it wasn’t free on your part.
The same is true with God’s gift of salvation. To us it’s free, but it cost God the life of His Son. The reason is because on the cross Jesus Christ became the final sacrifice for our sins. He paid for our salvation with His blood.
But the Bible also tells us a second truth: Like any other gift, God’s gift of salvation doesn’t become ours until we accept it. Just as we can refuse the gift someone offers us, so we can refuse God’s gift of salvation. But why would we? Don’t let this happen to you, but by faith reach out and accept Christ into your life today.