Wages of sin VS Free gift of God
Wages of sin VS Free gift of God
Wages of sin VS Free gift of God
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
From this high peak in the book of Romans we have a vantage point to see so many other doctrines of the Bible. We have the doctrine of sin and its eternal consequences. We have the doctrine of the atonement, with Christ being the One who takes our ‘wages’ in His own death for us. We have the doctrine of salvation by grace, for eternal life is the free gift of God.
This is a passage that is relevant for both Christians and non Christians alike. For non Christians because here is the precious offer of salvation from sin and its consequences. For the Christian because it’s a necessary part of our sanctification (which is what Romans 6 is all about) that we fight our sin and see the seriousness of our sin.
Here we can see a contrast between three things:
1) God and sin, the two masters, that rule those in their service respectively. Here sin is not just an activity, but a ruler. Paul says earlier “let sin have no dominion over you”. Sin is more than an activity to avoid, it’s a master that must be dethroned.
2) Gift vs wages, the two means of giving. Consider the differences between these two. Wages are earned, gifts are free. Wages are proportionate to the work that has been done, gifts are not proportionate but entirely based on the good pleasure of the giver. Wages are legally required, gifts are not required nor can they be demanded, they’re by grace alone.
3) Eternal life vs death, the thing that is given by each master. By 'death’ the apostle means more than physical death, but eternal death, for that is the full wage earned by sin. Eternal life is the gift of God for any and all who “call on the name of the Lord” (Rom 10:13)
Which will you receive? Who is your master? Will you get what you deserve or will you receive the gift of God?
Bible Text: Romans 6:23 | Preacher: Ian Goodman | Series: Romans—The Greatest Letter Ever Written | “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
From this high peak in the book of Romans we have a vantage point to see so many other doctrines of the Bible. We have the doctrine of sin and its eternal consequences. We have the doctrine of the atonement, with Christ being the One who takes our ‘wages’ in His own death for us. We have the doctrine of salvation by grace, for eternal life is the free gift of God.
This is a passage that is relevant for both Christians and non Christians alike. For non Christians because here is the precious offer of salvation from sin and its consequences. For the Christian because it’s a necessary part of our sanctification (which is what Romans 6 is all about) that we fight our sin and see the seriousness of our sin.
Here we can see a contrast between three things:
1) God and sin, the two masters, that rule those in their service respectively. Here sin is not just an activity, but a ruler. Paul says earlier “let sin have no dominion over you”. Sin is more than an activity to avoid, it’s a master that must be dethroned.
2) Gift vs wages, the two means of giving. Consider the differences between these two. Wages are earned, gifts are free. Wages are proportionate to the work that has been done, gifts are not proportionate but entirely based on the good pleasure of the giver. Wages are legally required, gifts are not required nor can they be demanded, they’re by grace alone.
3) Eternal life vs death, the thing that is given by each master. By ‘death’ the apostle means more than physical death, but eternal death, for that is the full wage earned by sin. Eternal life is the gift of God for any and all who “call on the name of the Lord” (Rom 10:13)
Which will you receive? Who is your master? Will you get what you deserve or will you receive the gift of God?