weissblog

This morning we went up to the office to pay rent on our apartment. While my wife ran in to pay the rent I sat in the van with my younger two daughters. During this time, my five year old and I had the following conversation. Of course this is probably one of those, you had to be there moments, but I wanted to try and share it as best as I could anyway.

Rebecca: “Dad, why do we pay rent?”
Me: “Because if we don’t we’ll be kicked out of our apartment”

Rebecca: “Why does it cost money?”
Me: “Because that’s what the people want, I guess.”

Rebecca: “Why does everything cost money?”
Me: “That’s just the way the system is set up.”

Rebecca: “Does it cost money to get into Heaven?”
Me: “[silence... slow realization] no baby, it sure doesn’t”

It was at this point that something I knew, something I’ve known for as long as I can remember, began to come to the forefront of my mind. It was like, in that instant, I was learning it all over again. As humans and, more specifically, as Americans, we’ve grown accustomed to everything costing us something. Nothing’s free. There’s no free lunches. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. But yet, the most precious thing ever known to man, salvation, is free. And to those who accept this gift also comes an admission ticket into Heaven.

Now I know that the reason this great gift of salvation wasn’t free to start. That the cost was high. But this tab was picked up by my eldest brother, Jesus. This gift that I take for granted so often (and probably you too, if you’ve accepted the gift). So while this isn’t Easter season, or Christmas, or any other religious holiday; even though is ‘just’ a Monday, I want to take this time to challenge myself and anyone reading this.

I challenge all of us to stop and think about this gift we’ve been given. Think about how gracious God was to not put a price tag on admission into Heaven. For if He had, I doubt even Bill Gates could afford to enter. But rather, in all His infinite wisdom, God set it up so that everyone, regardless of net worth or social standing, regardless of nationality, gender, regardless of intellect or even the lack of, everyone may enter into Heaven. And the only requirement is to accept a gift.Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And for those who are bashful when it comes to sharing the message of this gift, think about this. When was the last time you saw anyone turn down a gift?

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Heb 13:15