Free!

Free!

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23‭-‬24 NLT

Two contrasting verses, yet complimenting each other. One speaks on the fate of all men, irrespective of colour, race or gender. It addresses man's fall from grace and the eternal consequences of that fall. It doesn't exclude anyone; all men, born of woman, has fallen short of God's standard, and only by the same standard can man be redeemed from the consequences of his fall. If the passage had ended there, then we would have no hope, but thanks be to God for his unspeakable grace.

Though man didn't deserve it, he got a pardon from the consequences of his sin. A price was required from a righteous God, but because man was already stained, he could never pay the required price. So, in comes one not born by natural laws of human nature, free from the generational consequences of sin, and able to provide an eternal way back to God. He paid the full price so we could walk away from the legal consequences of our actions. It wasn't about anything we did to deserve it; otherwise grace won't make sense. It had to do with the nature of God to forgive and redeem and restore.

The price is now paid; the prize made free for all who would make the approach. God doesn't compel anyone; he just asks me to come, as I am, and He will make me into what He wants me to be. That's the best I can do. If all of this is done, and I still reject Him, what excuse do I give when he demands an accounting from me? He has done His bit; he expects me to choose Him of my own free will. Would I? Would you? His time of favour is here.