Free carry by Deon Crafford

Romans 5:15-17 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

In business “free carry” means that one receives equity or part ownership in a project or venture, without having to pay for it. Governments often exercise this when they award large mining or exploration projects to private companies. Nowadays in South Africa, communities often receive “free carry” equity in projects that impact them directly. It is a gift, granted by the controlling owner without requiring payment.

Free carry is a strong metaphor for Christ’s saving relationship with me. He is the controlling owner, the one ready to build a partnership with me through granting me equity/part ownership. I am the one with no means to ever pay for/acquire the equity. If it is not gifted or granted to me, I will forever be excluded. But God in His grace and mercy, insists on a partnership with me – in His Kingdom – and provides the free gift, the free carry. But the free carry is not into a static entity. The purpose of the Kingdom of God is to expand across the entire world and by me being an equity holder in the Kingdom, I shall be found actively promoting and living the “brand”. There shall be no silent partnering, waiting for others to hopefully grow the reach and value of the Kingdom. It is also up to me to see the Kingdom rise and expand in the here and now.

I am saved through the free gift, the free carry. I am brought into a partnership where the purpose is enlargement and reach. In that partnership there are ways in which I am going to act that show my belief in the Kingdom, my endorsement of it. It will consist of humility, rejoicing, reasonableness, thanksgiving, the absence of anxiety. prayer, honourableness, purity, excellence (Phil 4). Here’s an brief explanation why you are saved: So others will benefit too and also hear Christ knocking.

Love to all