The Wages of Sin And the Gift of God
Brian R. Kenyon

In Romans 6:23, Paul summarizes redemption with two points: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." In this statement, we see both the need for and the means of salvation.

Sin Is Why People Are Lost

People are not lost because they have not read the Bible, or because they have not been baptized, or even because they have not heard of Jesus Christ. People are lost because of sin! The Bible defines sin as the transgression of God's law (1 Jn. 3:4), "all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 5:17), knowing to do good and doing it not (Jas. 4:17), and any violation of our conscience (Rom. 14:23). Given these Biblical definitions of sin, how many of us can say we are exempt? None! "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Sin is what separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2), and without God, our eternal destiny will be one of misery and torment (Mt. 25:41; 2 Thes. 1:8-9).

Jesus Christ Is the Only Way People Can Be Saved

Thanks be unto God that He has given us a way that all the consequences of sin can be removed! "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). Because Jesus Christ is a gift does not mean that no response from us is required. Like all other gifts we receive, we must accept the gift in order for us to enjoy it. The only way to accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is to obey the Gospel (Lk. 6:46). Even John 3:16 says "whosoever believeth in him," which implies a condition to be met in order to receive "everlasting life." When Biblical belief is properly understood, one can clearly see that it requires doing what God has said (Heb. 11:1-40).

Jesus still says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (Jn. 14:6). Do we recognize sin in our lives? Do we realize that without sin being forgiven, our eternity will be miserable? If we have not yet done so, why not accept God's offer of salvation?