Romans 6:23 (New American Standard Bible 1995)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Everything we receive from God is a gift. We don’t have to earn it and we don’t have to work for it. Our salvation was purchased by Jesus at Calvary. He gave His life so that we can find forgiveness for our sins. He gave His life so that we can be reconciled to the Father.
It is our sin that separates us from God. This is why the wages of sin is death. The result of our sin is death and destruction. If a person spends all their life living in sin and never comes to repentance or turning to Christ, they will not only face physical death, but they will also face spiritual death. They will spend an eternity separated from Almighty God in a place of suffering that we cannot even comprehend with our human understanding.
But God has provided a way for us to be reconciled. The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The free gift is in knowing Jesus personally as Lord and Savior. But Jesus can’t merely be Savior. Everyone is very comfortable with the idea of Jesus as Savior. But He must also be Lord. In all that we do, our lives must be surrendered to His Lordship and leading. When Jesus is truly Lord that means I am not longer calling the shots. I am not longer determining the course of my life. I have surrendered my life fully to Jesus.
Because salvation is a free gift it can’t be earned, and it will guard our hearts against the condemnation of the enemy. The enemy will try to condemn us and drive us away from God, to get us to run from God. But condemnation is a lie, and we must meditate and build our lives upon the truth that salvation is a free gift from Jesus Christ. It is free to us, but it cost Jesus everything. May we treasure the free gift of salvation we have in Christ every day. May we trust Him and rely on Him for all things. May our focus be growing in greater intimacy with Him and truly making Him Lord of our lives.
Prayer
Father thank you today for your goodness and love. Thank you that so loved us that you sent your Son to die in our place and take the punishment that we deserve. Lead and guide us in all things. Jesus may you truly be Lord of my life and may my life be used to glorify and honor you. In the name of Jesus, Amen!