Paid!

For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 AMPC

The picture is given of a man who is a servant/slave to something. He is bound by his choice to the benefit or detriment that is embedded in his choice. Whatever his condition, there is something to gain or lose. You cannot have a middle course, where you sit on the fence, uncommitted and unconcerned about your eternal destination; it is an argument you must submit to and answer, because life itself, as you know it now, will NOT really end on this plane, and MUST continue somewhere else. Where it continues is still bound to that decision, that choice you need to make.

WAGES portray the reward for something done. You are employed to carry out a function and you are given a fair value for services rendered. Today's extract says death is the wages for sin. There is nothing you do without a consequence. It does not matter how much the world preaches freedom, no one is truly free to do as s/he pleases. You are bound to one master, and there are only 2 end zones: one ruled by death and the other known by Life.

For everything God advises on, he always gives you appropriate guidance. He wants me to have life, and he has given me clear directions on who can give me and how I can get it. I cannot claim life on my own terms. Only in union with Christ, the One God has introduced as the Life, can I get the full measure of the blessings found in Christ.

This generation seeks to belittle the effect of sin, make it out like something not so serious. The death and ressurection of Jesus tells me otherwise, and if a whole life had to be given to provide salvation from sin, I had better know that God takes the issue of sin very seriously. If he can give up his only Son as a sacrifice for sin, I can only blame myself if I reject his offer and the full penalty for sin is demanded from me. While I still can, I must make that decision, get the free gift on offer. Yes, free gift; no price from me to pay, except to believe and accept the Life that is on offer. Only in Christ do you get Life for free; every other place would demand its full wages.

Where are you located presently? I am again reminded of the temporal nature of this present earthly phase, that my debts have been fully paid off and I have a new master who loves me enough to give me eternal life, so why won't I rejoice? His time of favour is here.