Rev. Richard Smith, Veterans for Worship
I was driving down the road and the sign at the gas station shocked me. The price of gas has gone up 40 cents in a month. I guess the gas gurus know that we all want to go on vacation in the summer, so they gouge the prices knowing we must pay it or stay home.
The price of food and building materials is no exception. The cost we pay for each has gone through the roof. Going to the grocery store has become an added expense to our pocketbook. I spent $100 the other day and brought home two bags feeling like I hardly bought anything.
I have recently done two major renovations to my home, and the building materials went up so much that the cost of doing business hit a new reality. The cost of a small box of screws was astronomical! I had no choice but to pay for it and watch the budget for the renovation expand.
The rising costs of doing business are hitting us all. It is especially affecting small businesses and causing many to close as they are unable to absorb additional costs of goods, labor, energy and rely on non-essential spending.
The cost is on you and me.
As I think about my Christian life, I am elated that the cost of doing business is net zero! The cost of redemption, the saving of sins, and the promise of eternal life has cost us nothing. It was paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. He paid the ultimate price for us; a debt that we owed but didn’t have to pay.
1 Corinthians 6:20
You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies (you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own).
Jesus became human in order to pay for our sins. Throughout his life, he was sinless and lived perfectly. Because he was human and without sin, he was able to take our sin and sacrifice himself on the cross to pay for our mistakes. He rose again and because of him Christians can be free from sin. He did this because of his great love for us, not because of our love for him. This is where we learn the value of love.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
His grace for us has great value and cost us nothing. Grace is a free gift offered each and every day. It is through his gift of grace that we have been saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
God is working in us and through us even when we can’t seem to understand it all. He is a never changing God who offers his grace, mercy and love to each of us every single day.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
With Jesus the price never changes. He gave it all and paid it all, and all he asks is that you believe and trust in his name and will for your life. I pray that you ask Jesus Christ into your life today and trust in his word. This is the cost and it never changes.