You’ve likely heard of the term, bait and switch. It’s a classic fraud, often used in advertising, when a customer is baited with the promise of a low price or free gimmick, but when the purchase is made, there is always a catch. It always costs more than what was advertised.
I find the message of salvation is often presented as a bait and switch. That is, a person can come to Jesus, free of charge, no strings attached, just believe and receive, and BOOM! You’re good to go with God.
But then, things start costing. They are worded like, “You really should…” or “Now, you need to…” or “A good Christian will…” Perhaps these words come with the best intentions, and maybe they are even talking about good things. Even still, what was offered as free is now starting to cost.
Then, people hear things like this: “Jesus died for you; what will you do for Him?” So, somehow, a person starts to do things for God to re-pay what He did for us, as if it were possible to pay back Jesus for a death He willing died, in order to make us right.
Then, there’s the issue of turning from sin, sometimes called repentance. Now, I’m all for people turning from sin. That sounds good to me. But if my salvation were based on how often I refuse to sin, on how well I stop sinning, I would still be in serious trouble. If you are honest, you’ll admit the same.
Plus, the people Jesus confronted the most, the Pharisees, turned from all kinds of sin. They were very good at sin avoidance, but they didn’t turn to Jesus, which is the only turning or repentance that matters.
When people say that you have to stop sinning in order to be saved, or you have to read your Bible, pray everyday, and attend church every Sunday, all in order to stay right with God, they are preaching a bait-and-switch gospel. All these are good, but they’re not what make you right with God, or keep you there.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1, NLT). It’s free, folks. It’s all faith in Jesus alone, and nothing in what you do for Him. It’s as free for you today as it was the day you first believed.
I find the message of salvation is often presented as a bait and switch. That is, a person can come to Jesus, free of charge, no strings attached, just believe and receive, and BOOM! You’re good to go with God.
But then, things start costing. They are worded like, “You really should…” or “Now, you need to…” or “A good Christian will…” Perhaps these words come with the best intentions, and maybe they are even talking about good things. Even still, what was offered as free is now starting to cost.
Then, people hear things like this: “Jesus died for you; what will you do for Him?” So, somehow, a person starts to do things for God to re-pay what He did for us, as if it were possible to pay back Jesus for a death He willing died, in order to make us right.
Then, there’s the issue of turning from sin, sometimes called repentance. Now, I’m all for people turning from sin. That sounds good to me. But if my salvation were based on how often I refuse to sin, on how well I stop sinning, I would still be in serious trouble. If you are honest, you’ll admit the same.
Plus, the people Jesus confronted the most, the Pharisees, turned from all kinds of sin. They were very good at sin avoidance, but they didn’t turn to Jesus, which is the only turning or repentance that matters.
When people say that you have to stop sinning in order to be saved, or you have to read your Bible, pray everyday, and attend church every Sunday, all in order to stay right with God, they are preaching a bait-and-switch gospel. All these are good, but they’re not what make you right with God, or keep you there.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1, NLT). It’s free, folks. It’s all faith in Jesus alone, and nothing in what you do for Him. It’s as free for you today as it was the day you first believed.