The Wages of Sin is Death, But For Whom? Romans 6:23.

We often quote the verse to explain the need of the gospel to someone who is seeking God. But are we not ourselves missing the point?

“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NIV.

We act like God gave us this verse so we can quote it to the unsaved who should respond with the conviction that they are condemned sinners who need Jesus. But this is out of context. This verse is a summary statement of a thesis of the Christian faith walk experience, where Paul warns the Christian not to return to slavery to sin. (Romans 6:13-23).

Adam and Eve were commanded not to eat of a certain fruit lest they should die. Some think death was unknown in the garden but there must have been some kind of death like decaying leaves, which is what makes gardens grow. Therefore, they must have had some vague concept of death or else the command’s warning would have no significance. Maybe they thought if they disobeyed they would somehow wilt a little like the fallen leaves or fade some like flowers in the sun. Their concept proved to be far from the truth and death's reality exceeded their imagination.

We are no different, we think, “I am born again and am saved, so sin is paid for, and it's not a bad one,” and we give into a little sin. Like Adam and Eve, we have no idea of the real death. Our impression (fed by the serpent's lies), is the consequences are minor and we may only lose a little blessing here or our sanctification will be a little tarnished there. As bad as it turned out for Adam our sins are worse because we have gifts he lacked such as the Word, the Holy Spirit, fellowship, an understanding of Christ's death for us, and more. Like Adam and Eve we do not have any idea of the full consequences of our little sin, so we enslave ourselves to its creeping decay.

Both parts of this verse is a promise. The wages of sin is death; death for our Christian walk, death for our blessings in the Lord, death to our faith. The wages of sin is death even though we are in Christ and serve him.

Sin's opposite is the gift of God, a gift that is the answer to sin- eternal life. We miss the point that victory over sin is received as a gift. Let’s confess our sin quickly and in faith claim the forgiveness and victory that comes with the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(c) Adron

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Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and an encouragement.  For more like this see the most popular post in the left sidebar, or use the search box above.  

Adron

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I Have Engraved You in The Palms of My Hands. Isaiah 49:18

We question God's love and we ask, "Where is the evidence of Divine Love?"

"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49:18.

NOT ACCIDENTAL
The great love God demonstrated for us through his Son is eternally written in the scars on his hands. We can see in our mind's eye Jesus holding out his hands saying, "See, I have engraved you..." We normally get scars by accident but God says, "I have..." this was not by accident. The scars that Our Lord bears on His hands were predetermined. He knew He would endure the cross and bear its memory the moment He created the first man- and still He made Adam. He did this engraving Himself. I have..." It didn't just happen, like the poor martyr, but He received those scars on purpose. The events of the Crucifixion of His Son were carefully designed before all creation by our Loving Father.

DESIGN
The word "Engraved" sounds like there was skillful craft involved; skillful craftwork demonstrated in the love the Savior has for us. Most people's scars are the result of some painful event, usually an accident; and seeing them are reminders of what each event was. Jesus chose to bear the reminders of His love for us through all eternity and we will see the engraving in His hands.

DEVOTED
He is devoted to our care and protection. The city walls were its protection, status, and strength. For God to say, "Your walls are ever before me." is to say He is standing guard on the walls. He is our protection, status, and strength.

"Ever" not just sometimes or only at a certain time but ever, always, and not ending. Perhaps here we see a hint of eternity, we need not fear some destruction in this life or next. For those of us who have taken Jesus' hand by faith and accepted his death on our behalf are assured of His protection and guard for the "Ever," of eternity.

SEE
The first word of this verse may be the most important, "See,"God invites me to look upon Him, to see Him, and know Him. We must set our eyes on Jesus; we must look at Him and see who He really is and what He has done for us.

When we get to heaven and Jesus holds out His hand for us to take, we will see ourselves engraved there and will think just two words. "For ME!"

To learn more about the God's eternal love and how you can have a personal relationship with him follow THIS LINK

(c) Adron 8/19/10

What Is So Good About The Verse That Says The Wages Of Sin Is Death? Romans 6:23

Christians love to quote the verse that says “The wages of sin is death…” but overlook the part of the verse that makes the point.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23, NIV.

SIN
Everyone agrees that sin is bad. This verse states the ultimate punishment is death; in the Bible death is eternal separation from the Giver of Life. It is the sin is death context which makes the second part of the verse such good news.

THE MISTAKE WE CHRISTIANS MAKE
We know that a person’s eternal state is important and as messengers of the Good News Christians want people to get right with God, but it is the Holy Spirit’s job to show people their sin, their guilt, and give them a burden for their soul’s future; that is not our job, we are partners with the Lord in the Good News, not the bad.

THE GIFT
The verse’s second part is the heart of it, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God has a free, unearned and undeserved gift for us, and He offers it to all who are willing to take it. This gift is more than freedom from judgment but eternal and abundant life, the threat of death is completely and irrevocably removed.

The giver of this gift is God himself, there is no better security for our eternal souls.  Since God is the giver no one can offer a better gift of salvation.  You could not invent a better way to be saved than God did and no other religion or philosophy could compete with it.  Since this gift is from the Holy Creator of the universe no one could ever be worthy of it; that is why it is a gift- because we are not worthy and never could be.

CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD
This gift of “Eternal Life” is anchored by a source bigger than ourselves our efforts, sacrifices, or deeds, because the life promised is “in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Eternal life is not in anything that can be shaken like my own religion or good works but in Christ.  He is the Resurrection and the Life.  He paid for our sin by dying in our stead on the cross.  Death has been defeated because Jesus overcame death and the grave when he rose on Easter.

BUT HE IS LORD
Jesus is not just a savior or some fire escape from God's punishment, he is Lord.  You cannot accept his salvation and forgiveness for your sins and then go on doing those sins that he died to pay for- it is a slap in his face or worse.  He died to give you new life it is right to use that life for him.

If you want to know more about coming to Jesus for new life see my other post.

(c) Adron Dozat 8/12/10