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?

The Apostle Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.” I am made to wonder at times if people really believe the Bible, the word of God. In Psalm 14:1 the Psalmist states, “the fool has said in his heart there is no God.” One who makes such a claim is identified as a professed atheist. However, there is another type of atheist that we should notice and that is a practical atheist. A practical atheist is an individual who does not deny the existence of God, but lives like He does not exist. Some people live their life as if they do not believe they will be raised and judged by the Lord. Some almost give the impression that they do not believe in the second coming of Christ. Paul gives instruction to the church at Thessalonica to look forward to the second coming of Christ. Paul exhorts the brethren to comfort one another with the truth that Christ is coming again. Several things we want to notice about this.

(i)The Reality of His Return (I Thess.4:16) No one can read and believe the Bible and not believe in the return of Christ. Reading the Word one will see the promise of His coming again. (2 Pet.3) Now notice some things in regard to this reality. (1)Does not say He will establish an earthly kingdom. That doctrine is man-made. Nowhere in the Divine revelation does the Bible state that Christ will establish and reign over an earthly kingdom. Jno.18:36 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Jesus is King now and reigns over His spiritual kingdom. (2)In fact, He will never touch foot on the earth again. In I Thess.4:16-18 notice we will be called up to meet Him. Those that have died will be called first then those that remain (are alive at His appearing) will be called up next. Every individual who has ever lived will be called up in the air to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (2 Cor.5:10)

(ii)The Reason for His Return Paul states in I Thess.4:13 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” Paul does not want the people to be ignorant in regard to the reason. 2 Corinthians 5:10 “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.” When we go to the grave of a fellow Christian we sorrow and grieve, but not as one who has no hope. We have hope in the fact we will be raised from the dead. 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.”

(iii)The Return (I Thess.4:16) Notice the angels are mentioned, but don’t miss the fact that Christ Himself is coming, to call us up. There is not a substitute coming for Christ, He who is our Substitute is coming Himself. His first coming He came to be our Savior, at His second coming He is coming to be our Judge. We must never forget that truth.

(iv)The Redeemed Raised (I Thess.4:17) Now all will be raised up, but not all go to the same place for eternity. Jesus said in John 5:28-29 “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His  

voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” The redeemed will go to paradise, the lost to torments.

(v)The Reunion (I Thess.4:17-18) Don’t overlook that word “TOGETHER.” We will be raised up together to be together with God for all eternity. To be reunited with God and His people. To partake of the wedding feast in heaven.

Question—Are you ready for the second coming of Christ?