“I will love them freely” Hosea 14:4)

Freely is the only way saving grace can be given by God. If there was some reason for God to give us grace, it would be a payment, and not grace. Of course, from our point of view, we think, “since I did this or that, God saw I was trying to be good, so He met me half-way. That idea is not only arrogant, but Biblically incorrect.

He “saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8–10).

Grace isn’t grace unless it’s freely given, with no strings attached. This is the glorious message of salvation which was delivered to us in Christ Jesus our Redeemer. Freely is the divine way love streams from Heaven to Earth, a spontaneous love flowing forth to those who don’t deserve it, no matter how they may see it.  

We complain, “Lord, my heart is so hard.” He says, “I will love you freely.” We say, “but I don’t feel my need of Christ as I should.” He says, “I don’t love you because you feel your need; I will love you freely.” We say, “but I don’t feel that softening of spirit which I could desire.” The softening of spirit is not a prerequisite of receiving God’s grace. You can approach God merely on the basis of “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already” (John 3:18).

So, just as you are, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

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