The Encourager
“Sin's Pay-off by Mike Richardson”
In Romans 6:23 Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In this one verse Paul summarizes all his preaching, teaching, and theology. Paul, in this one verse, reveals there are two sides to eternity. One side leads to everlasting life; the other side leads to eternal death.
The wages of sin is death. Paul states the wages of sin is death. Wages are what is rightfully earned and deserved. Wages are what you receive for your labor and work. Paul says what is earned because of sin is death. If you live a life of sin the wages of such a life is death. Not just physical death, but spiritual death, which is the second death, eternal torment. The pay-off of sin is what we deserve. Let us observe several things in regard to how sin pays off.
(i) Sin pays off in Shame. Sin pays off in guilt and shame. Guilt is that heavy feeling we get for something we did. Shame is that heavy feeling we have for what we are. If we live in rebellion to God we are sinners. Most people know when they do wrong and feel the guilt and shame. They know they can do better, but choose not to. Many people live their lives trying to escape the sting of guilt and shame. Instead of confessing their sin, they seek to justify it. Guilt and shame are heavy burdens to carry. Some seek to sear their consciences with a hot iron so as not to feel the guilt and shame (I Tim.4:2). (a)The shame of public discovery of your sin. A lot of times what we think are private sins become discovered. There is the guilt and shame that any moment one will disclose what you have been trying to hide.(b)There is the shame of Divine exposure. In 2 Cor.5:10 Paul writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” If I understand my Bible correctly, one who has not had their sins blotted out by the blood of Christ will have their sins exposed in the judgment. Every sin you thought you had kept hidden will be made known (Eccl.12:14).
(ii)Sin pays off in Sorrow. Not only does sin pay off in shame, but sin pays off in sorrow. Consider those affected by the sorrow of sin. (a)Personal sorrow. Think about all the time, money, and energy used to live in sin. The consequences of your choices and the pain involved. (b)Sorrow of loved ones. Loved ones who know you are in a lost state and not right with God. How many tears have fallen from loved ones who know your spiritual state? How many heartaches have there been because you continue to reject the plea to come to God and continue in sin? (c)Sorrow of God. Consider His heartache because of your sin. God sent His only begotten Son so your sins can be forgiven, but you reject His sacrifice.
(iii)Sin pays off in Separation. Consider the following; (a)Separated from God. That line is enough to make chills run down your spine. I don’t know if there is any sadder words than those in Matthew 7:23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Notice what you will be separated from for all eternity. (b)Separated from good. There is nothing good in hell. (c)Separated from glory. Apart from the bliss of heaven. John states about heaven in Revelation 21:4 “And God will
wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
How do I escape the wages of sin? Notice the second part of Romans 6:23 “...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Accept the gift of God. A gift is not earned nor deserved, but is freely given. One must accept the gift. God offers us a: (a)A substitute-His Son died for us. (b)A sacrifice-satisfied God on our behalf. (c)A Savior in Christ. What choice will you make?
