One Price

Recently I finished reading South Carolina Senator Tim Scott's book, America, A Redemption Story. In a chapter titled, "Grit and Innovation" he describes several "average Americans” throughout history who refused to accept the world as it was as they pioneered their way through seemingly impossible circumstances." (Page 54) Throughout his book, Tim Scott encourages us to step out to be creative because our country is "brimming with opportunity."
 
One of the people Senator Scott highlights is John Wanamaker, who established a department store at the corner of Sixth and Market Street in Philadelphia. Originally, he called his store "Oak Hall" as Oak was the national tree of the United States. This tree is a symbol of strength and is "often associated with honor, nobility, and wisdom." (Page 49) Hall implied greatness and grandeur. In addition, the location of the store was adjacent to George Washington's presidential home. Wanamaker wanted his patrons to be aware of the history of our country. I admit that I took particular interest in this portion of Scott's book because my parents used to take our family to this store all throughout my childhood.
 
John Wanamaker's concept for his store was like none other before it. As a devout Christian, he believed that "if everyone was equal before God, prices should be equal too." (Page 50) Up until the opening of John's store, haggling and bargaining were a part of the shopping experience. By putting a price tag on the items for purchase, every shopper was treated fairly. His motto was, "One price and goods returnable." The sales industry was transformed by the John Wanamaker method of doing business.
 
May I suggest that Father God is our spiritual John Wanamaker. He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our salvation. As God’s children, we are separated from Him through our sin. His great love and compassion for us brought about the plan for His Son to become the atonement for our sins. As it says in Romans 3:23, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." To rectify this situation and satisfy the justice of God, all of us must be led to repentance. God's kindness is intended to lead us to repentance, it says in Romans 2:4. Jesus Christ shed His blood and died for us on a cross. His death was for every person on the face of the earth, no matter what sins were committed. But we must complete the transaction by accepting, through faith, what Jesus did and believing that He was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven.
 
Romans 3:30 reminds us that there is only one God who justifies both the Jew (circumcised) and Gentile (uncircumcised). All are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. It is said of Abraham, the father of all who believe, that his "faith was credited to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:9) Verse 13 expands on the details: "It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes through faith." Jesus paid the price once and for all time. "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." (Romans 4:25)
 
Just like John Wanamaker, Father God has one price for all for salvation. His name is Jesus! Not only was He the “price tag,” but He is the one who paid the price for us. This is the bargain of a lifetime! How can we show our gratitude?