Romans 6:23, The Gift of God

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We must continue to struggle against sin in our lives. For our encouragement, Scripture gave to us in the book of Job, the earliest recorded writing of Scripture such a man of God – Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed (hate) evil.” The word “perfect” does not mean sinless perfection but holiness. He was a man who walked with God, who made right with God by that close communion with God. He made right with God and he interceded for his children daily. God Himself pronounced him “perfect.”

For the overcomer, the Lord Jesus Christ promised eternal life. This is God’s gift through Jesus Christ for every man of God. He knows that he is not struggling alone but God is with him to provide him the grace to live victoriously and lay claim on eternal life. In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian came to a fire place. He saw a man pouring water over the fire but the fire does not extinguish. Christian was brought to the back of the fire place. There, he saw a man pouring oil. He was told that this man is Jesus Christ. He is pouring the oil of grace to keep the fire burning. The man pouring water threatening to extinguish the flame of life is Satan. Jesus Christ is found at the back of the fire place, not visible to anyone at the fire place. Indeed, during our struggles against sin, it seemed we are struggling alone. We are not, Christ is with us to give us the victory. May we call to Jesus for help whenever we are tried, experience His power of deliverance, laying hold of eternal life. Amen.