- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,078
Bonus
- June 13, 2005
Each week, our mail contains at least one solicitation to buy or join something. Almost always included in the sales pitch is a reference to some bonus item. "Respond by (date) and you will also receive... " The ploy is that the bonus item is something free and otherwise not included in the cost of what you're buying.
Negotiating for the sale or purchase of commodities has been around for all of recorded history. The seller doesn't want to give up anymore than he or she has to, and the buyer wants the best deal. Such a tactic is not necessary when it comes to God's offer of grace.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians saying, "in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). That is one of the bonuses of knowing Christ, but it is not to "sweeten the deal." The price has already been paid for your salvation, and the benefits and bonuses are available to all, simply for the asking.
False "religion" offers bonuses for doing certain things. True faith in Jesus Christ is all inclusive. So don't be taken in by the hucksters. Nothing new is or will be added to the "deal" of knowing Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior.
Contributed by Michael Ullrich. Michael has served in pastoral ministry since 1979. His weekly devotional column appears in numerous newspapers, magazines and online publications, as well as on his Web site. He and his wife, Bonita, have seven children.
- June 13, 2005
Each week, our mail contains at least one solicitation to buy or join something. Almost always included in the sales pitch is a reference to some bonus item. "Respond by (date) and you will also receive... " The ploy is that the bonus item is something free and otherwise not included in the cost of what you're buying.
Negotiating for the sale or purchase of commodities has been around for all of recorded history. The seller doesn't want to give up anymore than he or she has to, and the buyer wants the best deal. Such a tactic is not necessary when it comes to God's offer of grace.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians saying, "in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). That is one of the bonuses of knowing Christ, but it is not to "sweeten the deal." The price has already been paid for your salvation, and the benefits and bonuses are available to all, simply for the asking.
False "religion" offers bonuses for doing certain things. True faith in Jesus Christ is all inclusive. So don't be taken in by the hucksters. Nothing new is or will be added to the "deal" of knowing Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior.
Contributed by Michael Ullrich. Michael has served in pastoral ministry since 1979. His weekly devotional column appears in numerous newspapers, magazines and online publications, as well as on his Web site. He and his wife, Bonita, have seven children.
