Free, but Not Cheap

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:4–6

The creation of the world was accomplished in just six days (and could, of course, have been done even more quickly had God not been establishing a pattern as well as creating a universe) by God speaking into existence everything that we see in the natural world today. Out of nothing, the words of God were able to bring about an entire complicated and interlocking ecosystem, with everything perfectly designed to support life. This is a powerful display of God’s infinite ability, but if we correctly understand what the Bible teaches, it is a powerful display of His love as well.

Because of His unlimited knowledge, God knew all about the fall of man and the effect sin would have on His creation. He also knew sin would require a Saviour. And even before He spoke, “Let there be light” and began to make our world, God had a plan in place to provide a means of redemption. “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).

While creation was easy (merely requiring a few spoken words) salvation was anything but easy. God’s grace provides salvation to us freely, but it was purchased at a great cost. The Saviour’s precious blood was shed because of our sin. That truth should make us love and serve Him even more.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

We must never lose sight of the incredible price that Christ paid for our redemption