Orange Cream Shake

There are two words that have become known to me which are very similar in appearance. One of them is in the dictionary, and the other one should be. The word that is already found in the dictionary is the word 'free'. Most everyone may already know the definition of this word, but just in case, here it is: free adj., Costing nothing; gratuitous. To many people, free is a magical word. It means getting something for nothing. At Jack in the Box the other day, I was offered a free sample of a new orange cream shake they were promoting at Jack in the Box. I didn't accept the free sample (I'm not sure why, except for the fact I was on my cell phone, while trying to steer my way through the narrow passageway they call the drive thru in my boat sized El Camino, while the guy passing them out was running over to my car. I could just picture orange cream shake all over me. I guess I just wasn't in the mood for an orange shake), but because it was free, I felt no remorse for choosing not to accept it. Nor was the man offended that offered me the shake, because when something is offered as free, there are no obligations, no strings attached. One is free to accept or reject without any consequence.

Another story I have of receiving free things was brought to my attention by my sister who now attends Pepperdine, as I did. She was mentioning all the free t-shirts that she had received since being there. Then I got to thinking about the clothes in my dresser at home. I bet 90% of them were free t-shirts I received from high school clubs, and Pepperdine events. Pepperdine gives out t-shirts for everything. They give them out for basketball and volleyball games, spring break mission trips, BBQ’s, Thanksgiving Youthfest, etc. And even today, just about every time I go down to Pepperdine, I wind up coming back here with a free t-shirt. Scott complains about this to me all the time. Maybe one day I’ll remember to bring him back a free t-shirt. When things are, in fact, free, everyone (including Scott) wants to be a part of it.

The other word that I spoke of, which is very similar in appearance to the first word, free, is the word ‘free*’. Now did you happen to see the difference between the two? Sometimes it takes a careful eye to notice. This second word is used all the time and yet one cannot find it listed in a dictionary. I will try my best to come up with a definition of my own for this word. Free* adj., deceitful gratuity. The word free* looks much like the word free in order to deceive people into thinking that what they are receiving costs nothing, when in fact, it does carry a cost. When something is offered to you as free*, the chances are the person doing the offering is trying to swindle you into something you don't want. Some would consider it marketing strategy, I consider it a deliberate lie. On many websites there are advertisements that claim to offer you free things, such as iPods, laptops, and even ringtones. Some make it seem so simple with the words “Click here to receive a free* iPod.” Don't be deceived, they are actually free* iPods, laptops, and ringtones.

I am so thankful that God offers us free salvation and not free* salvation. In fact, it is only by God's grace that we can even know what it truly means to receive something for free. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) It cost God his one and only son, Jesus, but He doesn’t pass that price on to us. We reap the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice. We didn't have to meet a quota, fill out a survey, or make monthly payments to get this gift. We didn't even have to ask! If you don't receive even as much a free orange shake in this life, know that you can still receive the gift of salvation from God. No strings attached.