Let’s say that I am at home, sitting in my favorite chair and Diana comes in and puts her hands out. In her hands, is a beautiful watch that she says she has purchased for me.
Now, what would happen if I yelled at her in anger and said for her to get it away from me and to never do such a thing again? That would break her heart and end up with my having no gift at all, wouldn’t it?
What would happen if she handed me that watch and I looked at it and then put it on the table behind a picture, saying I didn’t want it now, but “maybe someday” I’d wear it? That would break her heart, too, wouldn’t it? And if I did that, I wouldn’t end up with the gift either.
Now, let’s say that she handed me that watch and I said I didn’t want her to give it to me, but I would love to have it so I would pay for it? That doesn’t even make sense.
Now, what does that watch have to do with the message of God? It has everything to do with it. Many people yell at Christians and persecute them all because they do not want the gift. Still others see that it is worth having, but they don’t want to stop having worldly fun right now, so they decide they will get salvation “someday”.
Still others think that the gift of salvation can only be obtained by good works. This is like trying to buy salvation, but, salvation is something that we cannot buy or earn. It is a gift. The only way possible to get salvation is to accept it through Jesus Christ. There is no other way to receive it.