Romans 6:23

In some respects, Romans 6:23 gives man a very clear and complete picture of the spiritual scene. It states two spiritual facts that are opposite to each other. It lists the negative and then the positive.

First, we have the dark and dreaded end of sin: "The wages of sin is death..." Death means separation. Sin unconfessed separates man from God. Sin has a price. The cost of sin is separation from man's creator, the sovereign, loving, gracious, forgiving God. Separation from Him means no forgiveness. This fact applies to all mankind by birth, for the Bible tells us that all sons of Adam were born sinners: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" [Romans 3:23]. There are no exceptions. God is holy and cannot fellowship with sin and, therefore, has separated sin from Himself by death.

This is why Christ said to Nicodemus: "...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" [John 3:3]. Then, in verse 7, He also said: "Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. " It is the new birth, which is the gift of God, that allows God to place the repentant sinner into His family and to take him into heaven. Continued next week.

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Life Lines is a Bible based inspirational series authored by Brother Lowell M. Barnard of Grace Baptist Church, New Castle Indiana; and Blessed Hope Baptist Church, Huber Heights, Ohio.