The Wages of Sin

When I was a sophomore in high school, I got my first job. I worked at an art gallery and was paid minimum wage which was $4.25 an hour. I was paid for the work I did and I would have be fired if I didn’t meet the boss’s expectations.
The same is true in our spiritual lives. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death..." When we violate God’s commands (sin), we are faced with eternal punishment in hell. Revelation 21:17 states, "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." So, how do we make it into heaven if we can’t work our way there? Praise God He has provided a plan, a gift! The rest of Romans 6:23 says, "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Jesus came to this earth to die to pay the price for our sin. All we must do is receive this free gift of salvation!!

Whom Do You Boast In?

As a New York Yankee fan, it’s very easy to boast to a Boston Red Sox fan because of the 26 World Series titles the Yankees have won in their existence. Did I somehow have a say in them winning a game, let alone a title? Absolutely not! It’s the same way with God. I cannot take any credit for what the Lord has done. In Romans 4:2, Paul is talking about how Abraham can't take any credit for his salvation even if he worked for it. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” Just like I cannot take credit for the Yankees winning by going to the game or wearing a shirt and hat, I can’t take credit for my salvation. Jesus already paid the price for my sins by dying on the cross. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus isn’t a taskmaster, but sometimes we will be asked to do hard things for His glory.

The only thing I can boast in is Jesus. I can’t save myself and there is nothing I can do on my own to earn salvation. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”