SEARCHIGHT
Do you really know what you are earning?
SCRIPTURE
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
It is possible that you can like doing something, without knowing that it will bring upon you dire consequences. Two girlfriends went to Mexico for a holiday. Upon returning home, they smuggled a giant mouse into the USA. It began to wheeze throughout the night, so they began to pet him and snuggle him to relieve its pain. The next day they took him to a veterinarian who identified their new pet as a rat with rabies. It was not the small, loveable puppy they wanted.
This story illustrates today’s Scripture focus. The Bible says “For the wages of sin is death…” Sin can be a part of a person’s life without knowing that it will bring utter destruction. The question you need to ask is “Are you harboring a puppy look alike substance in your life? [Sermon Central]
It is also possible that you may not know what you are earning. Sometimes you can do something that may pay more or pay less than you expect. Take another look at today’s Scripture focus. Now read it out loud. Then read it over again. What is the meaning?
Who do you work for? What are you getting paid for? Whoever you work for is the one who also pays you. “For the wages of sin is death,” paints a picture of sin being every person’s employer/master. Sin describes anyone who is choosing to live a self-directed life, opposed to a God directed life. Sin is anything that opposes God or His ways, and the wages or earnings for choosing sin to be one’s master, is death.
Adam and Eve introduced the human race to sin. They were the first sinners. Adam and Eve chose self-centered living opposed to God centered living. As a consequence, they were evicted from the Garden of Eden. Because of their decision, all of humanity now has the same tendency to rule God out. This is called the sin nature or the depravity of man.
Apply this to your personal life. What do you earn when you choose to live for yourself rather than to live to honor God? During your self-centered life, you may earn a good income, have a home, maybe 2 cars, and enough money to afford a nice vacation. However, in the afterlife, you have nothing but death. Your wealth, including all savings and investments, earns you death, nada, zero, zip, zilch, nothing. You cannot take anything into eternity, and neither can you buy anything after you breathe your last breath.
If you ignore God, then you are living for sinful purposes. The Bible says you are rebelling against your Maker. [Romans 5:8; Hebrews 3:15] If you work for sin, then sin’s wages are death. Living a life that rules out God results in being separated from God on earth and all eternity.
Many people know today’s Scripture focus “For the wages of sin is death…” [Romans 6:23a] But not many people know the Bible also states, “The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.” [Proverbs 10:16 NIV] In addition, the Bible says “A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”[ Proverbs 11:18 NIV] And neither do many people know the Bible also says “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” [Proverbs 22:4 NIV]
These 3 verses paint a picture of a person who wants to personally know God on earth. That person chooses to live a “righteous life”, which means he/she is right with God. Humility leads that person to discover there is one God who loves and forgives sin. The wages for choosing to live a God centered life are indescribable and eternal. You take on God’s likeness which is holiness and receive the free gift of everlasting life.
Which do you want to earn? The wages of sin or the wages of righteousness and humility?
In Romans 6:23, the “wages of sin” which is Life Path #1 is contrasted to the “gift of God” which is Life Path #2. The Bible says, “but the gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” God does not make someone earn eternal life. Instead, He freely provides it. His gift is for anyone. It is given without attaching any strings. Jesus Christ is the gift. Jesus provides the way of experiencing eternal life.
God loved you and the world so very much, that He gave His one and only Son to die for our sins, so that no one would have to perish from sinning, but instead enjoy eternal life. [John 3:16]
Will you humble yourself and become right with God? Today is the day to receive the riches, honor, and life God will freely give you. Just confess Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord. [Romans 10:9,10] Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be acquitted of their sin. [John 3:16-18]
SOMETHING TO DO
Check out the Scripture verses mentioned above. Consider your wages.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I want to thank you for making me aware of what I truly want to earn during my life. I choose to be right with You. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. And thank you for indwelling me with Your presence and power. May I reflect You more each day. AMEN