Is Salvation a ‘Free’ Gift?

As a member of Campus Crusade for four years as well as being in evangelical churches most of my adult life, I have sat in my share of ’How to share Jesus’ classes.  I learned the Romans Road, the Four Spiritual Laws, the Bridge, and countless variations of these gospel sharing tools.

I don’t like any of them.

After that admission, I’m not sure if I’ll still be accepted in evangelical Christian circles.

I often hear evangelists talk about salvation as a free gift.  They emphasize free, as in ‘requiring nothing in return.’  Does salvation really require nothing in return?  Jesus himself tells his disciples about the persecution they will encounter, encouraging them to endure (Matthew 10:16-25).  Paul was constantly telling the churches to “press on” (Philippians 3:14) and to “fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12).  The first few centuries saw countless Christians martyred for their faith.  The twentieth century saw more Christian martyrs than the previous nineteen centuries combined.

I ask, is salvation free?  Perhaps salvation is, but living the gospel of Jesus Christ certainly is not.

I can hear someone now yelling, “justification by faith alone.”  I see your Romans 5:1 reference.  I ask, can salvation and living the Jesus way be separated?  James tells us faith without works is dead (2:14-26).  The first letter of John says “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning” (5:18).  Hmm, it seems we have to jump through some theological hoops to completely separate salvation from the way we live, but I digress.

In evangelism, are we looking to “make disciples of all nations” as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19 or are we looking to get sinner’s prayers prayed?  Are we looking to launch people into a life of following Christ or are we merely passing out fire insurance?

I have to believe the centuries of Christians who have been persecuted and martyred would likely not describe their salvation as costing nothing.  Is their gospel different than what we proclaim?

I am convinced the gospel Jesus announced and the apostles proclaimed is much bigger than a ‘get out of hell free’ card.  The gospel is ultimately about Jesus Christ building a new Kingdom, a new way of organizing society, a new way of doing life, a new way to be human.  A gospel reduced to heaven and hell minimalism is a different gospel than the blood of the martyrs tells.  A reduced soterian gospel places me in the center of the story, pushing aside the true storyline that’s about a loving Savior.

Perhaps I won’t be shunned from all evangelical circles.  I am content sharing the company of Christians like Tim Keller, Brian Zahnd, and Scot McKnight.

So, what does this say about evangelism?  I know these gospel tracts were written to explain justification, which they may do well.  However, I cringe seeing them used as an introduction to the gospel.  There has to be a better way.

How do Christians share the gospel without the bait and switch effect a free gift of salvation tract has when followed by prodding to join a bible study or to quit sleeping around?

I really am asking you these questions.  I don’t know their answers.  Do you have some thoughts you would share over a Coke?  Are there any books or blogs you’ve read that address evangelism while keeping true to a full Kingdom gospel?