Bridge to LifeSample

Payday   

Who among us would disagree that one of the best days of each month is payday? This is the day when we receive payment in return for all the hard work we did the previous two weeks or perhaps a full month. It’s satisfying to know we earned those wages.

There are other wages that none of us want to receive,

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)

In other words, physical and spiritual death is the payment we receive for the sin (missing the mark) we commit. God warned our ancestors, Adam and Eve, about this in the beginning,

But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

If we had all the money in the world and a lifetime collection of good deeds, it still wouldn’t be enough for even a down payment for the sins we’ve committed. In fact, we’re told that our good deeds are ‘filthy rags’ before God. (Isaiah 64:6)

You’ll be happy to know that Romans 6:23 doesn’t end with death,

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

I’m so grateful for that little three-letter word, ‘but’, that comes after death!

God doesn’t just leave us drowning in our sea of sin debt. He’s provided a means for us to be declared debt free in the area of sin. It’s a gift beyond comprehension that we can choose to receive or reject. 

Tomorrow, we’ll take a closer look at the price paid by the Son of God in order to provide this ‘free gift’ we’re now offered.

Prayer:

"Father, even though I deserve an eternal death sentence, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and worship for the eternal life I've been given through your Son, Jesus Christ. You have given me pure grace when I could offer You nothing but my life in return. I humbly receive Your free gift. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."