Sin and it's penalty
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sin is what we do that is against the will of God. It is the action that we take that draws us away from God. It is not just a list of wrong actions or bad behavior. It is a fundamental aspect of our nature that separates us from God's holiness. To sin is to miss the mark, to fail to live up to the perfect standards of God's glory. It is a failure to reflect His character in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
The Penalty of Sin
In Romans 6:23, we read, "For the wages of sin is death." Here, Paul uses the metaphor of wages to illustrate the result of sin. Just as wages are the earned payment for work done, death is the earned consequence of our sin. This death is not merely physical but also spiritual—a complete and eternal separation from God.
The gravity of this penalty cannot be overstated. It reflects the seriousness of sin in God's eyes. Sin is not a trivial matter; it is an affront to the holy and righteous character of God, deserving of the severest punishment. The death mentioned here signifies the loss of the true life that God intends for us, a life in communion with Him.
However, in Romans 6:23 we have a message of hope: "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here is the beauty of the Gospel. While the wages of sin is death, God offers us a gift, something unearned and undeserved—eternal life through Jesus Christ.
This gift is rooted in God's love and grace. John 3:16 echoes this truth: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus Christ bore the penalty of our sins on the cross, taking upon Himself the death that we deserved, so that we might receive the life that He offers.
What then should our response be to this profound truth? First, we must acknowledge our sinfulness. We need to recognize that we fall short of God's glory and are in need of His mercy. This acknowledgment should lead us to repentance, turning away from our sin and toward God.
Second, we must place our faith in Jesus Christ. It is through Him alone that we receive the gift of eternal life. Faith is not just an intellectual assent but a trusting commitment to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Finally, we are called to live in the light of this new life. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." As recipients of God's grace, our lives should reflect His love, mercy, and holiness.
In conclusion, every sin has its consequences, either immediate or eternal, but we are offered the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ the son of God. Let us respond with humility, faith, and a commitment to live out the new life we have received.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, forgive me of all the sins I have committed in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, grant me the spirit and grace to walk in obedience to your will in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen