#TuesdayTruth Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Have you ever read a bible verse over and over, hundreds or even thousands of times, and then, all of the sudden you see/hear something different in it; it’s like a lightbulb just goes ON? I read this verse recently and it “hit” me differently this time.

In the past, I think I have read it to say that the “result” of sin is death (as in “A” leads to “B”); something like, the “result of sin is death” (which is not technically wrong), and then I just move on and continue reading. However, this time when I read it, the word “wages” jumped out at me.

I realized that “wages” are something that you earn (a payment). For example, when we go to work we earn an hourly rate or a salary- that is what I am owed for the work that I have done.

So, in this context, if that is how we are to interpret this verse, then:

• I am a sinner. Therefore, I am owed death.

Ouch! It is true, but still, that kind of hits me in the gut. We have all “earned” death with our sins (Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the flory of God”).

However, this is the truly mind-blowing (and wholly encouraging) part. We are offered a “gift”- a truly unmerited, unwarranted gift. Although we “earned” death with our sin, our Heavenly Father sent his Son to take on all those “earnings” and, instead, we are offered the gift (not earnings, because we can do nothing to earn this gift) of eternal life with Him.

What a beautiful gift! I am truly overwhelmed by His kindness.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for seeing us and for loving us, even while still in our sin. Thank you for having compassion on us, your children. Thank you for not repaying us for our sins what we are owed. Thank you for, instead, offering us the gift of eternal life with You. We so look forward to that day, when we can look on you with awe and wonderment, and say “THANK YOU” face to face.

We love you,

Amen