Things that are Free
July 15, 2008 8:58 pm Blogs
I am addicted to checking the free section on craigslist. I check it at least once a day, sometimes several times a day. There is all kinds of great stuff on there. Couches, copy machines, spas, sports equipment, typewriters, tools, TVs, books, baby clothes…Most recently I read about a boat, with a trailer!!! Completely for FREE! As I write this, the first three things in San Diego are as follows: “Free Working White Toilet” “Free Firewood” and Free “Mid 70’s Dodge Commander Motorhome.” This got me thinking, why is it we like things that are free so much?
Most things that are free are usually a scam, some trick to try and get you to spend money you shouldn’t. But not craigslist. It’s the real deal. The only problem is if something is actually good it goes quick. Just last week I tried to go get a surfboard advertised for free. There was supposed to be a surfboard and a whole list of other stuff for free. I got there only a few hours after the post and it was all completely gone…not one thing left. Apparently a lot of other people are into free stuff too.
Perhaps part of it is the simple fun of a discovery. We are all secret treasure hunters. Modern day pirates. We all wish there was a secret cave in our backyard with hidden treasures beneath. That is why everyone likes the movie “Goonies” and why everyone like things that are free. But I think there is something deeper going on.
I think it has something to do with the sin of works and our desire for the grace of Jesus. Maybe that sounds like a big jump to you, so let me break it down for you. Life is hard. Work is hard. We all know. Think of the best day you’ve ever had…who hasn’t said on those days…”Man I wish everyday was like this!” We all wish we did not have to work. The problem with work is it takes a lot of toil to do. A lot of energy, effort, and struggling to actually produce something good that we like, want, and feel we deserve.
The problem is we all know deep down we really don’t deserve anything good. We know ourselves better than we know anyone else and we know we are not that great. We know we don’t deserve anything for free. Anything we get that is good we have to work real hard for. That’s why our biggest desire is for things that are free. Because we are beings built for grace.
Grace. What is grace? Grace is something totally free that you don’t deserve. In fact it is more than that. Grace is something good that comes on top of not just not deserving anything but actually deserving something different. It’s like if you robbed the dude who’s offering something for free on craigslist and he knows it and goes ahead and gives you his free boat anyway. I think our love for things that are free has something to do with our desire and deep down need for grace.
Grace is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. The gospel is the good news that while we were not seeking or loving God he came into the world to live life the way it is supposed to be lived. The way we haven’t. And then Jesus went and died on the cross for the debt to justice we deserve for robbing God of his glory by living such irreverent distortions of the good life he created us for. The gospel at it’s heart is something totally and completely free…it is the free gift of salvation in Jesus provided for all who trust in him, no work involved.
I believe we all like things that are free because we all know we really need Jesus. To work for salvation is just too much work. Who could ever do an eternity’s worth of work except the eternal son of God. Jesus does that work for us and then gives us the fruit of his labor for free. So the next time you get excited about a free Nintendo on craigslist, think of Jesus and remember that you’re very want and joy for something that is free is a reflection of your deep down need for his grace.
Much love to you all and soli deo gloria to Jesus the Savior.
- Pastor Duane