Hey Butterflyleia85!
Maybe these scripture passages can explain the "free gift" part of the "unabridged good news" much better than I can:
(Romans 3:22-24) . . .For there is no distinction. For all have sinned [are dysfunctional] and fall short of the glory of God, and it is as a free gift that they are being declared [or counted as] righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom [paid] by Christ Jesus.
(Romans 3:27-28) . . .Where, then, is the boasting? It is shut out. Through what law? That of works? No indeed, but through the law of faith. For we reckon that a man is declared righteous by faith apart from works of law.
(Romans 4:2-7) . . .If, for instance, Abraham were declared righteous as a result of works, he would have ground for boasting; but not with God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham exercised faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the man that works the pay is counted, not as an undeserved kindness, but as a debt. On the other hand, to the man that does not work but puts faith in him who declares the ungodly one righteous, his faith is counted as righteousness. Just as David also speaks of the happiness of the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works. . .
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It is not an accident that all religion effectively demands we "measure up" via works of self-righteousness to join their club which knows little or nothing about IMPUTED rightuousness, or the "unabridged good news" according to Paul, Moses, Isaiah, Psalms and others.
May God bless you for being open-minded and enquiring like the Beroeans in your walk with him. He is the revealer of secrets - not to organisations - not to the ruling religious clergy class - but to individual sheep.