"But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." Romans 5:15
The grace of God, and the GIFT of that grace, by Christ Jesus, is illustrated in the following true story. George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town, brought a rusty, bent, empty, birdcage to the service and set it by the pulpit. When several eyebrows were raised, the pastor explained that walking through town he had encountered a little boy carrying the cage, swinging it, with three cold and frightened birds inside.
The pastor stopped the boy and questioned him about what he intended to do with the birds. The boy's answer was that after playing with them, he would feed them to his cat. The little boy was surprised when the pastor offered to buy the birds instead. His answer was, "Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain-old field birds. They don't sing and they ain't even pretty!"
Nevertheless, the pastor insisted, and paid the boy far more than they were worth. Upon receiving the birds, the preacher opened the door of the cage and set the little birds free. The empty birdcage, with the open door sitting next to him by the pulpit was a testimony to the successful work he had done to redeem and liberate those birds.
All who are the Lord's people can identify with the birds. Being subject to the law of sin and death, they are without help, hope, or God in this world, just like any one else. However, their hope is in the redemption that the Lord Jesus Christ has obtained for them, by His righteous life and sacrificial, atoning death. He paid the price, satisfying the Law of God's justice and condemnation, and delivers them from guilt. Just as every bird was set free that had been purchased, so in Christ, all for whom He paid the redemptive price are set free. Such is the nature and perfection of Christ's work. It truly is a gift of God's grace, freely bestowed upon all which God the Father has given to His Son. He'll not lose one, John 6:37-39. What a glorious Savior and Redeemer He is! Wonders of wonders that He would even think upon sinners such as we are. Then, to pay the price so fully, that none are lost for whom He died. His death was not a down payment. It is an effectual atonement for all which God the Father has purposed to save, Hebrews 9:12!