“Freely you have received; freely give.” Matt. 10:8
What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? 1 Cor. 4:7
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Cor. 9:15
Lord Jesus, the word “tariff” has filled the airways more in the past two years than in the previous twenty. But I won’t assume the role of an armchair-economist. I think I get it. Striking a balance in international trade is a complex dance.
That being said, all the tariff talk has vexed me, and (more importantly) made me treasure the “indescribable gift” of the gospel more than ever. I am now and forever thankful for free grace—absolutely free.
From beginning to end, our salvation is a free gift to us, because you paid an extraordinary price for us. By your life, death, and resurrection, we are enriched beyond all calculation, imagination, and celebrations.
We’ll never pay for the privilege of knowing you. Life in your heart and kingdom isn’t like the nightmare of “owning” a timeshare. There aren’t any hidden expenses, undisclosed association fees, or renovation charges. We didn’t begin a relationship with you by free grace, and then shift into a life of sweaty grit (self-effort). You were serious when you declared from the cross, “It is finished!” There are no taxes on mercy or tariffs on grace.
And the life we will enjoy when you return doesn’t look anything like international trade wars, global posturing, or nationalism. The nations will gather into the new heaven and new earth as a grace-bought people—one big every-nation family… completely healed, perfectly reconciled, totally loving. Because each of us will be transformed to be like you, Jesus. We will see you as you are, and we will be made like you (1 John 3:1-3). Hallelujah!
Freely we have received your mercy and grace, Jesus; freely may we give it to those around us, this Friday in May. So very Amen we pray, in your most awesome and loving name.