Topic: Christ Did It [Saturday, 19th August 2017]
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
The scripture above is one of the often quoted scriptures when some preachers want to talk about the consequences of sin. They love saying “for the wages of sin is dead…”, to serve as a deterrent to those who are sinning or who are sinners. But, looking critically at this scripture, you will know, by the Spirit, that Apostle Paul was not trying to emphasize the consequences of sin, he was telling us about an event that had occurred. And that is the payment for sin, and the gift of God, which was wrought both by Jesus Christ. Christ, both paid the wages of sin, and brought the gift of God to us.
On the cross, Christ never died, not because of the stripes nor because of the blood that were dripping out of his nail-pierced hands and legs. These were also factors, but Christ died because of sin. Before going to the cross, Jesus talked about the cup which His Father has given to Him, which He would want it to pass over him, but He had to drink of it, submitting to God’s will (John 18:11, Matthew 26:39-42). This cup was significant of the sins of men. And when He took the cup of vinegar on the cross, He drank that symbolic “sins of men” and then He became sin, Who knew no sin, so He could pay the wages of sin, which is death.
The wages of sin, death, was taken care of, so that the gift of God, eternal life, can be brought to man. No man needs to pay this wage anymore. Jesus has taken care of all of them. 1 John 2:2 says: “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” And through Him, we have the gift of God, for “as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21). Christ hath done it all. He both paid ALL THE WAGES FOR SIN, and brought the gift of God, ETERNAL LIFE, to us who believe.
Keep winning daily.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for paying all the wages for my sin and the sins of the world and for giving me the gift of God, eternal life. Now, I am no longer a debtor to sin, but a proud owner of eternal life. For by Your graciousness I have received eternal life forever. Be praised Lord, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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