The advertisement says, “Buy one and get one free.” What a deal! You pay for the first, but that second one is free! How could it be? Can anything these days really be free? It isn’t really free at all. It is an advertising gimmick to get you to pay the full price for the first one, or you get two for half price. The seller may be willing to make a smaller profit or take a loss to get you to try their product. When you come back for more the price will be higher.
Many things seem free these days. You watch a television show, and you don’t have to pay, but commercials interrupt your “free” entertainment. The show is paid for by selling commercials and the companies that advertise their products include the cost of advertisement in the prices they charge their customers. If you never buy their product, the TV show might be free to you, but someone will have to pay for your entertainment.
There is a lot of talk about freedom in America. They are something we should be thankful for but are too often taken for granted. Because we are born in the US, we are given the freedoms that come with our citizenship, but they are not free. From the foundations of our country, we have fought kings, dictators, fascists, emperors, and communists to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Even today we spend our fortunes, our lives, and our blood to preserve the freedoms we hold dear. Yes, we are free, but at great expense.
There is another “free” gift that came at great expense. “For GOD so loved the world, He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him might not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Salvation is “freely” given to us, but GOD gave his only Son, and JESUS gave his life on the cross, so it isn’t really free.
Wayne Lance (2015) – That’s Good News to Share!