Romans 6:23: Life, the gift of God

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

Romans 6:23

Pretty clear, isn't it? And yet I've heard people—Christians!—rationalize that statement to shreds, believe it or not.

The really interesting point here is that the eternal life here is not something that begins only when our earthly life ends. It's an eternal life that begins now. And likewise, that death is not just some kind of eternal separation from God that begins after our life on earth. It's a separation that exists now.

So don't be so quick to rationalize sinful and selfish behavior! The wages of sin is death, separation from God, now. Note this also: life is not the wages of righteousness. Thank God for that. Life is God's gift, found in Christ Jesus, received in humility. It starts now and prompts us to live a life of thankfulness and praise.

Let's not advocate legalism, and let's not be misled by cheap grace. Let's stop sinning, and let's receive God's gift of life. Easy, but not trivial.