The blessings of God are free, but they are not cheap.

Human beings tend to get confused on both sides of that equation.

On the one hand, we so often get caught up in grasping after things in this world which we think will bring us happiness, but which leave us unfulfilled. As the prophet Isaiah put it, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?”

We need to remember that the real treasures of life, which bring genuine fulfillment, are not things that can be bought. They are the gifts of God, given freely from God’s hand.

But because God’s blessings—of life, peace, forgiveness, and eternal salvation— are free, people often treat them as though they are cheap, things that can be taken lightly.

In fact God’s grace is “costly,” as the renowned German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it. It cost Jesus his life, as he went to the cross for us. And God’s grace calls forth a response of our whole heart and devotion.

If we truly receive God’s mercy, God’s unmerited love, it sets us on a new path in life—a path of discipleship for Jesus Christ. We are embraced by God’s love, not so that we can stay as we are, but so that we can be transformed by God and empowered to be instruments of God’s grace in the world.

God’s blessings are free, but they are not cheap. The Lord gives everything for us; and we are called to lift our whole life to God.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 55:1–3, 6–7
Romans 6:23
Ephesians 2:8

A photo posted by UMC of Kent, Ohio (@umcofkent) on Oct 15, 2015 at 9:03am PDT

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.