God's Glorious Gift

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Three small boys were in a Christmas play at school. They represented the three wise men and they were to give their gifts to baby Jesus. The first boy stepped forward, held out the gift in his hands and said, “Gold.” The second boy stepped forward, held out his gift and said, “Myrrh.”The third boy stepped forward, held out his gift and said, “Frank sent this.”
Today I want to focus on the greatest gift that has ever been given = the gift of God! In John 3:16 and Romans 6:23 we’re told about this great gift…read…
Romans 6:23 NASB95
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here in Romans 6 the Apostle Paul contrasts 2 things: SIN and SALVATION.

1. Notice what we learn here about sin. 3 things:

1) Sin enslaves
- enslaves you to the devil,
- to living that is based on your desires and gratification,
- to being more concerned about you, to the things of the world.
2) Sin receives wages – payment –
- the word used here originally meant a soldier’s pay, something he earned with the risk of his body and sweat of his brow, something that was due him.
- There is a payment you receive for sin – living in sin, being enslaved to sin!
- There is going to be a pay day some day for everyone enslaved to sin! And it’s not going to be what those individuals thought they were bargaining for!
3) Sin results in death = spiritual death.
- We know that everyone is going to physically die someday. This by the way is a result of sin entering the world.
- But what is in view here is not physical death but spiritual death in contrast to eternal life.
- For those enslaved to sin – living in sin, mastered by sin – the end result, the end payment will be spiritual death = eternal separation from God and an eternity in a place called hell and ultimately the lake of fire prepared for the devil and all who follow him. This doesn’t sound very appealing would you agree?

2. Notice what we learn here about salvation. 3 things:

1) Salvation enslaves
- enslaves you to God,
- to living right,
- is based on trying to honor and please God, not living based on your desires and gratification but living that seeks to do right, be right, act right, think right, live right!
- It recognizes that God is your master now and you are seeking to live a holy life, to please Him.
2) Salvation is a gift
- a FREE gift! Not earned. Ephesians 2:8-9…
- And it is given to ALL who are willing to receive it – want it – desire it!
- But understand 2 things:
(1) It’s not a cheap gift = paid for by the blood of Christ (1 Cor. 6:20)
(2) It’s not a gift you receive and then go on your way doing what you want to do – it’s a gift that alters your lifechanges your life…your direction…the way you live! It’s a gift that leads you to turn from sin and to turn to God!
3) Salvation results in eternal life =
- this is in contrast to death (spiritual death)
- It means everlasting life, life in all of its fullness
- it emphasizes the quality of life we now have in Christ – blessedness, abundant life, the joy filled life and it emphasizes the duration = forever and ever.
Conclusion
- Back in the eighteenth century, a young boy was born into a Christian home. For the first six years of his life, he heard the truths of the gospel and he was loved.
- Sadly, though, his parents died. The orphaned boy went to live with his relatives. There he was mistreated and abused and ridiculed for his faith in Christ.
- The boy couldn’t tolerate that situation, and he fled and joined the Royal Navy. In the navy, the boy’s life went downhill. He became known as a brawler, was whipped many times,
- Finally, while he was still young, he deserted the Royal Navy and fled to Africa, where he attached himself to a Portuguese slave trader. There, his life reached its lowest point. There were times when he actually ate off the floor on his hands and knees.
- He escaped and then attached himself to another slave trader and became the first mate on his ship. But the young man’s pattern of life had become so depraved, he couldn’t stay out of trouble.
- On one occasion he stole the ship’s whiskey and got so drunk that he fell overboard. He was close to drowning when one of his shipmates harpooned him and brought him back on board. As a result, the young man had a huge scar in his side for the rest of his life.
- After that escapade, he couldn’t get much lower. In the midst of a great storm off the coast of Scotland, when days and days were filled with pumping water out of the boat, the young man began to reflect on the Scripture verses he had heard as a child. He was marvelously converted. The new life John Newton found is reflected in his own heartfelt words, familiar to millions now: Amazing grace! How sweet the sound— That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see.”
John Newton experienced Romans 6:23= he had been enslaved to sin but then received the free gift of God and became enslaved to God!
Have you? Where are you this morning – enslaved to sin awaiting your payment – eternal death? Or enslaved to God – have already received God’s free gift and now enjoying eternal life?
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