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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.
All Scripture references are from the New American Standard
Version unless otherwise noted.
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~ Bonus
