WHEN A FREE GIFT IS EXPENSIVE
Mt. 10:37-39/Lk. 9:23-25/1 Co. 6:18-20

It was really ridiculous, obviously a merchant's advertising scheme. In an automobile show in Michigan, cars from the 60's were offered for sale at 99 cents each. Nicolas David, 18 years of age, bought a 1968 Buick for that unbelievable price. It was all, of course, a publicity scheme.

Nicolas proudly started home in his new purchase, a distance of some 9 miles. On the way he picked up a friend, William Hishke. Sadly, Nicolas and his friend William never arrived home. Carbon monoxide from that old neglected car killed them both. What Nicolas thought to be a fabulous deal, turned out to be death. The old saying is so true: "You get what you pay for."

There are things in life that appear to be very inexpensive but all too many times they turn out to be very costly. How much does a restaurant dinner cost, or a drink in a bar, or a simple hotel room? Not much, but if that dinner, that drink, and that hotel room are to commit adultery, it can mean the destruction of a marriage, the abandonment of innocent children, the ruin of families and ultimately, the total moral decay of a whole society.

We live in a day of instant bargains. We want everything right now: clothes, food, travel, friends, relationships, marriage, religion, church, God. We want things right now and we want them without cost, without effort, without obligation, without sacrifice.

The sad thing is that all too many "Christians" are satisfied to have an easy, uncluttered, undisturbed and irresponsible religious life. Yet, to have God's peace, freedom from sin, and a victorious spiritual life it requires absolute and total submission. Unfortunately, all too many times we consider that too high a price to pay.

Here is what Jesus had to say about this: "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Mathew 10:37-39)

A 99 cent car is just that, a 99 cent car. A genuine, fulfilling, spiritual and eternal experience with God is His gift to mankind yet it comes only as a result of total submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Jesus must have our all.

More than one million listeners can hear our program seven times daily in the city of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. They also have two repeaters to send the message out to an even greater area. Pray that those who listen will make Christ their Savior today.