unbound: from the sins that bind us

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV) Think about the key words in this Scripture passage. Think about “wages.” It’s what we get for what we’ve done. What we get for what we’ve done. If what we’ve done is sin, then what we get is death. But we all die, right? What kind of death is Paul talking about here? Think about the word “gift” in the passage above. What are the necessary conditions for something to truly be a gift? Freely given, no strings attached? So what is the gift God wants to give us and what is the cost? If you haven’t received the gift, why not? If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. I John 1:8 (NIV) The simple fact is, we are all sinners. When we think otherwise, we deceive ourselves, just as we are told in this passage of Scripture. Have you accepted the fact that you are a sinner? Have you acknowledged that to God? Or are you still trying to pretend otherwise, somehow thinking that God doesn’t know, while only deceiving yourself? If you haven’t had a heart to heart with God about your sinful nature recently, perhaps now is the time. On the other hand, it isn’t difficult for many of us to admit that we are sinners. What is difficult is to accept the fact that God is that God gave His one and only Son so that we might be forgiven of that sin. That gift is so extravagant that it is difficult for many of us not only to understand, but to accept. But until we accept it, it’s not ours. If you haven’t accepted this gift, what is keeping that from happening? If you have, have you offered a prayer of thanksgiving today for that gift?