Today we must iron out things properly by the scriptures on this salvation. When we say salvation is free, everybody seem to agree on the lip level, but if I will point out some things now, you'll see how you preacher or Christian has been charged on what is free of charge.
Today, we live in a world that is full of deceptive tactics they call "business sense". Many of us have fallen into unplanned debt deceived by these so-called freebies. Such that when you hear that something is free, you are already suspicious. Instances:
"Make free calls on our GSM network" is what they say, but, when you draw near, you discover you must migrate to one new tarrif plan where billing rates are different, must have a minimum balance of so and so, must make calls of at least so and so, a daily access charge is also involved.. yet they call it free. They say "come and take free scholarship", but it will be required of you to maintain a high minimum academic standing. If they call it free for you, investigate. You will be charged somewhere in the process: if not at the start, in the middle or at the end. You may enjoy free call for a whole day, but after that day, the new call rate will amaze you: you will be wickedly billed. Even in what people of the world call "promo", it's not to reward you, it's to increase their sales because you will be made to pay for it either in quality or quantity reduction or price inflation. A company will sponsor you for further studies? At the end, you will be compelled to their agreement which will be so tight in one way or the other. You see how dishonest the sons of men are, and you conclude: nothing is free even in Freetown. In fact, an adage has been carved out for it: "Awuf dey run belle": meaning free things can be harmful.
If the child of God is not careful, oftentimes this mentality is transferred into our relationship with God, so that when you know salvation is free, you don't expect it to be free all through: you must still have to give something along the way. No sir! Salvation is completely free all through!
First you must realise God is not a man. He has a weakness and that is His inability to lie or deceive.
*[[Tit 1:2]] KJV* In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Second, He is not in need of profit of material gains. Those business men are profit-driven, and that's why they don't mind whatever will deceive you just as long as their sales rise. To say that God is rich is actually insultive. He owns everything and cannot WANT..
If God has said therefore that salvation is to be received freely, then it must be true.
Matthew 10:7-8 KJV
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand... freely ye have received, freely give.
*[[Eph 2:8-9]] ISV* For by such grace you have been saved through faith. This does not come from you; it is the gift of God and not the result of actions, to put a stop to all boasting.
However, a lot of us are just not comfortable so great salvation can and should be free. If some of us are close to God sentimentally, we'll have suggested to Him to ask that people should at least "sow a seed" to God, but thank God God cannot be bribed.
Salvation is free completely and absolutely! Some have said salvation is in three kinds: the salvation at altar call level, salvation at continuity level (intermediate) and the final salvation at rapture. They also say that one must pray for the latter two, especially the "final final" salvation at rapture and we should just pray and desire we're able to make that one because it's the ultimate. Hmm.. Let's just pretend to agree with that theory first. In all the three kinds or stages, salvation is free! We already settled it must be free all through, otherwise it's not different from those dubious business people. They tell you a software is free, you download it, and after 30 days, they tell you it's only a "trial version" all the while: "sorry we said it's free at first, but you must now make a donation to support the organisation". Thieves!
But God will not do things that way. If you don't do a thing to get saved, then you must not do a thing to continue to be saved. At the last day, you also must not do a thing still and yet be saved: otherwise, salvation is not truly free.
How does a man get saved? As stated in the bible
*[[Rom 10:9]] KJV* That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Sorry! faith is not even demanded from you at salvation. Whichever messenger has ever asked you to first "believe" is charging you what is to be freely received. Faith is to come to you by hearing, not to give you an extra demand to go and be searching for faith.
*[[Rom 10:17]] KJV* So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
All you do is to receive the faith free of charge and by it, believe.
What about holiness and righteousness? Yes, they are required at start, middle and the end to service the salvation. But again, they are supplied by the captain of your salvation, not you.
*[[1Co 1:30]] KJV* But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Everything is free because ALL that the salvation journey costs has been catered for. It's not like these days they'll tell you education is free and you'll get to the school, start classes, but in the middle of the term, they'll say "it's either you pay your PTA fee or no exam" or one teacher will cast you away because you didn't contribute money to buy a duster. All that is needed to service salvation is supplied so that heaven is not denied a man because of spiritual poverty.
*[[Mat 5:3]] KJV* Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
*[[2Pe 1:3]] ISV* His divine power has given us everything we need for life and GODLINESS through the full knowledge of the one who called us...
The requirement for salvation at the first is not different from at the end.
Salvation is a gift of God and not of works. This is valid at the start, middle and at the end. You won't get to heaven and God who has said it is not of works at the start will now say because you didn't do good works, you're not saved.
At the middle (continuity)
You are to continue the way you received freely by faith and never try to pay for it or merit it
*[[Col 2:6]] KJV* As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
At the end
Even the man without good works is saved still because it's not of works lest some boast they made heaven.
*[[1Co 3:15]] KJV* If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire.
In conclusion, bible says you should continue in him as you have received him. It was simple at the start. Never get it complicated afterwards. You believed to be saved at the start: believe to continue too. As you have received him so walk in him. No deviation sir! It's freeeeeeee!
*[[Gal 3:3]] NET* Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?





