The Wages of Sin

Good Morning,

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

I have often wondered why more people, when exposed to the tenets of Christianity, do not immediately embrace God's love and accept Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior. I mean, it seems pretty simple to me and very straight forward. Today's Scripture verse covers both the benefits of what being a Christian means and also the reason as to the "why" of more people not accepting what God has offered to us as His free gift of mercy.

So, as to the "why" that people don't want to accept God's gift and forgiveness, we read..."For the wages of sin is death...," and that means that if people accept the teachings of God's Word and what is written in the Bible as truth, then the way they are living means exactly what this verse says; it means death...eternal and everlasting death. So, in order for people to continue in their sinful life and lifestyle, then they just refuse to believe the Bible. It's pretty much as simple as that. People love the sin they are in. People enjoy the sinful pleasures that they embrace. People are, well, short sighted would be a pretty good description of the way they are I guess. You see, if they refuse to believe the Bible and what it teaches, then they can just continue to do as they please, enjoy as they wish and that's that. However, should they believe what it is that God has set down in His Word, then, well, they will understand that the sinful lifestyle they have chosen is wrong. So, the "why" is simply the fact that people want to put their momentary, earthly pleasure and immediate enjoyment above all else.

Now, the benefits of what we read in this verse are really so very, very simple and extremely straight forward. But, we'll go ahead anyway, OK?

If we choose God's way; accept His free gift of salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; decide to believe what is so clearly written in the Bible...then, we have eternal life. And, more than that, our eternal life will be with Jesus and all the saints in a heaven that simply cannot be described or explained. Most importantly, we will be with the God of the universe for all time...IN HIS PRESENCE!

So, when we go out and do what we can to evangelize and explain why we choose God instead of the world, let's don't be too depressed about the refusals that we meet. Remember, as we've said so many times in these messages, life is filled with choices. Life itself is a choice. How we live...good or evil...for God or against Him...in sin or in forgiveness...it's all a choice. God has given us that gift, the gift of free will, that we can make our choices. You and I choose Him and we accept His gift of eternal life in our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who turn away from us when we do as we've been commanded to bring the message...they have made their choice, as well.

Let's give thanks, today and every day, that we have made the right choice. Then, let's remember to pray for those who've made a choice that, as we read, leads to death.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David