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Grace: A FREE GIFT

The word "grace" means something which is given freely . . . without cost or obligation.  For example, if your best friend offered you a gift and you tried to pay him for it, could you still call it a gift?  Of course not!  It becomes a debt which he owes you the moment he accepts your money!  Your friend would probably even be insulted, withdraw the gift and say: "I'm not giving this to you because I have to.  It is a gift.  Do you accept my gift or not?"

A Gift: The Moment You Offer Something In Exchange For It, It Is No Longer A Gift. 
It Becomes A Debt!
Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace, but as a debt. Romans 4:4
Only when you put your money back in your pocket and stretched forth your empty hand would he renew his offer and extend the gift to you.

The same is true with God's offer of eternal life.  People try to purchase eternal life by obeying the Ten Commandments, living a good life, going to church, or some other religious work.  But God will not make Himself a debtor to any man!  He does not "owe" eternal life to anyone.  He will offer it only as a gift!
 

Grace: IT MUST BE FREE

When man attempts to gain eternal life through his works, he is no longer accepting God's offer to eternal life as a free gift, that is, by "grace."

But if it is on the basis of works, then it is no longer grace. Romans 11: 6b
Yet it is only by His "grace" that God will save us!
For by grace are you saved through Faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works that anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Therefore, scripture teaches that God withdraws the offer of eternal life from anyone who tries to earn it through his works, thus degrading God by seeking to make Him a debtor to sinful man.
For you have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4

Therefore, to attempt to gain eternal life through the works of the law is to reject the only way in which God offers eternal life, that is, by His grace!  And when a man rejects God's gracious offer of eternal life he is freely choosing to face eternal condemnation.
 

   

Clear Gospel Crusade
Ronald R. Shea, President
P.O Box 431
Metairie, Louisiana 70004

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