For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 WEB
This famous scripture from Romans condenses the gospel message down to a few simple words. The bible teaches that sin is the cause of death. Death is our penalty or punishment for living in rebellion to God. Since Adam disobeyed God in the garden of Eden, the human race suffers death because of our sin. The reason we die is that we are corrupt. Or, as Paul writes, “the wages of sin is death.”
The good news of the gospel is that our sins are forgiven through faith in the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our sins at Calvary. As sinners, we owed a debt that we could only pay with our lives. But Christ went to the cross in place of sinners, receiving the wages of sin for all of mankind. Resurrected from death by God, faith in Jesus Christ is the way to eternal life.
Death Into Life
The Lord says in John 5:24, “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. WEB” What was Jesus’ message? Repent from sin. The Lord called sinners to repentance as he forgave sin. Jesus’ called his followers out of the world to live spiritual lives of righteousness in service to God.
As sinners, we cannot earn eternal life. We earned the wages of sin, our death. But, God extends an offer of salvation to all who repent from sin and follow Christ. It is a gift from God for those willing to confess our sin, repent, and accept the grace of God. The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ who paid the price for our sins.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the gift of salvation. Thank you for the promise of eternal life with you. Give me a heart that is receptive to your will. Help me to live in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The End
