The Gift you Want to Earn

• Ephesians 2:8 (NASB)
• Ephesians 2:9 (NASB)

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I recently witnessed an exchange between someone who sees salvation as a free gift, and someone who understands there is action involved in it (specifically, baptism). It was intriguing, because the former person seemed to be saying, "everyone knows salvation is free, this guy must be a little off" - and the other guy had scripture references to back up his claims.

Well, the truth is, it is free. It requires everything you have and everything you are, but it cost you nothing. How is that so? I can't pretend to explain that, especially here. But I know it's true, because I've experienced it.

But it's that dichotomy that drives people to believe that there is something more to it. It can't be a free gift, it's just too unimaginable, unfathomable. There's got to be a catch. But Paul is emphatic here, in this passage. He states the truth and then rewords it three times, just so there's no miscommunication.

I just want to say, thank you, God - you've given me much more than I deserve, because you love me. And I love you, too.

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