For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23
Imagine you’re working hard at a job, but instead of the paycheck you expect, you’re handed a bill—a consequence for everything you’ve done wrong.
That’s the picture painted in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The verse sets up a sharp contrast between what we earn and what we’re given.
What exactly are the wages of sin?
The word “wages” makes this relatable. It’s what we earn, right? But in this case, what we earn from sin isn’t something we want—it’s death.
Not just physical death, but spiritual death, which means separation from God. Think of it like drifting away from the source of all life, light, and love.
When we go down paths of sin, it leads us away from that connection with God, and the result is emptiness, guilt, and ultimately, death.
Have you ever felt a distance from God, a disconnect that felt like something was missing?
That’s a hint of spiritual death—the way sin separates us from Him. And this death isn’t just an event at the end of our lives.
It’s something we experience in the here and now, too—whether through the emotional weight of guilt or the consequences of harmful actions.
But what if you didn’t have to earn anything?
Here’s the twist: while we earn death through sin, God doesn’t ask us to earn life. “But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life isn’t something we work for; it’s freely given.
Imagine being handed the most incredible gift without ever deserving it.
That’s grace. It’s not about how many good deeds we can stack up or how hard we try to fix our mistakes—it’s about God giving us something far greater than we could ever achieve on our own.
Why is it so hard to accept something for free?
In our world, we’re often taught that everything comes with a price. But God flips that script by offering eternal life as a free gift.
It’s not something we can earn through good works or by trying to be perfect.
It’s simply His love, shown through Jesus, who took the consequences of sin upon Himself so we wouldn’t have to. All we have to do is accept it.
So, how does this affect us in the everyday?
Even as believers, we still feel the pull of sin. Sometimes, it can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or distance from God.
Have you ever experienced that feeling of disconnection when you’ve done something wrong? That’s what sin does—it can block our sense of fellowship with God.
But the good news is, that free gift remains. Even when we stumble, God is ready to restore that connection.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This verse reminds us not just of the consequences of sin, but of the incredible hope we have.
No matter how deep we fall, God’s hand is always reaching out, offering us a path back to life and relationship with Him.
Have you accepted that gift? If not, what’s holding you back?
This promise is for all of us, and it’s one of grace and love, not something we earn but something we embrace.
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