2 Samuel 24:24

When David was instructed to offer burnt offerings where the Lord had stopped the pestilence, Araunah offered as an outright gift a threshing floor, oxen, and wood for the fire. But David insisted on buying these things. He would not offer to the Lord something that cost him nothing.

We know that it costs nothing to become a Christian, but we should also know that a life of genuine discipleship costs plenty. "A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing."

Too often the extent...

I endure all things for the elect's sake" (2 Tim. 2:10).

Our Father's mercy is all-encompassing. It includes our salvation - " . . . according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5); and our service - " . . . by the mercies of God, present your bodies a living...