0316. SIN’S WAGES AND GOD’S GIFT.

SIN’S WAGES AND GOD’S GIFT.

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom_6:23).

Sin and salvation, like two mighty rivers, flow right through the Bible, and have come together down through the ages. With the one or the other every man is being borne along. The one floats all on to the dead sea of eternal darkness, the other carries all who rest on its bosom into the ocean of God’s infinite light and love. Note the two courses-

I. The Course of Sin. "The wages of sin is death" (Rom_6:23).

1. What is Sin? It is literally "missing the mark." One miss makes a sinner, one offence makes guilty of all, one taste of the poison pollutes the whole moral system.

2. What is the Fruit of Sin? "Death." This is sin’s finished work (Jam_1:15). "By one man sin entered, and death by sin" (Rom_5:12). Death means separation from God, the source of all spiritual life and hope. It is "no hope."

3. What is the Connection Between Sin and its Fruit? It is a righteous connection, the same relationship that exists between work and wages. It is something earned, something a righteous God is bound to pay. "How shall ye escape if ye neglect so great salvation" (Heb_2:3).

II. The Course of Grace. "The gift of God is eternal life" (Rom_6:23).

1. Grace brings Eternal Life. "The grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared" (Tit_2:11). Christ Jesus is the living embodiment of life everlasting. "This is eternal life that they might know Thee" (Joh_17:3).

2. Grace brings Eternal Life as a Gift. How could grace be more gracious? The love of God constrained Him to give His Son. This river of life is near, dip and draw for yourselves.

3. Grace brings Eternal Life through Jesus Christ. Yes, only through Him. It is not he that believeth that hath everlasting life, but "He that believeth on the Son." "He that hath the Son hath life." We take the saving hand of God when we receive Him (Joh_1:12).

Autor: James Smith