The Parable of the Cell Phone Plan

A man struggled with expensive cell phone bills, carefully monitoring every minute and text to avoid overages. He lived in constant anxiety, always checking his usage, rationing his calls. One day, his wealthy uncle said, 'I've added you to my family plan. You have unlimited everything—calls, texts, data. It's already paid for.' The man couldn't believe it. 'What's the catch?' he asked. 'No catch,' his uncle replied. 'You're family. Just accept it and enjoy the freedom.' But the man was suspicious. He continued his old habits—monitoring usage, limiting calls, living in fear of overages that could no longer happen. He had unlimited access but lived like he was still on the old restrictive plan. This is how many Christians live. God has offered us unlimited access to His grace, love, and forgiveness through Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares: 'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.' Yet we often live like we're still on the 'works plan,' constantly monitoring our spiritual performance, afraid we'll exceed God's patience. The gift of salvation gives us unlimited access to God (John 1:12), but we must accept it and live in that freedom. Stop checking your 'spiritual balance.' You're family now. The bill has been paid in full by Christ.