THE WAGES OF SIN OR THE GIFT OF GOD

Romans 6:20-23 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In His "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus taught his disciples, and teaches us today, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24). According to Nelson's Bible Dictionary, the term, "mammon" carries the meaning of money, gold, or any other material possessions, especially earthly wealth, of any kind, that man uses in opposition to the will of God. This certainly would fit the description of sin that results from the lustful covetousness described in verses 6-14 previously discussed in that lesson text. God and mammon, as used here, are opposite in nature - together they are incompatible. This teaching of Jesus assures that it impossible to serve both God and mammon simultaneously.

This is exactly what Paul is teaching in the lesson text. All mankind are servants, that fit into one of two categories, but not into both. All are either servants of sin or servants of God. As servants of sin,one is free from righteousness. As servants of God,one is made free from sin.To whom you are servants, can be determined by observing the fruits (works) you produce. Also, fruit, as used in verses 21 and 22, carries another meaning. Restating verse 21, it can be read as, What fruit (reward) do you have by serving sin? The reward of the servant of sin is (eternal) death. Then the meaning of verse 22 is "as a servant of God, one is free from sin, and has the reward of a holy life on earth and an eternal life in heaven."

To understand these verses in this light is not mere speculation to the Romans, because they were, at one time, servants of sin (Vs. 20). Reflecting on the time they were sinners, they could recognize their unrighteousness, and Paul, writing of their conduct of life, said they were now ashamed (Vs. 21). When one sees the light, that is, when one is made free from the bondage of sin through obedience to God's will, sin is easily seen, and recognized, by the fruit it bears. These verses give all readers the assurance that life on earth should be filled with righteousness and holiness, because its reward will be everlasting life.

During our life on earth we have the choice of serving righteous God or serving the deceitful sin of Satan. As noted above, we will always be serving one, but not both. Being servants of God the reward is eternal life (Vs. 22). The end of servants of the sin of Satanis death (Vs. 21). This fact is summarized in the last verse of the lesson text: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Wages is what is due, the reward, or the payment made, for satisfactorily performing specific deeds. Wages is the just payment, which is deserved, based on what is accomplished. The wages of sin is death. Since death, as used here, is compared to eternal life, it takes the meaning of "eternal death." Then, the just reward, for being a servant of sin, is eternal death. Being a just God, He will not impose punishment on anyone undeservedly. Of this we can be assured: the punishment meted out by God will always fit the Satan-inspired, sinful misdeeds of mankind.

However, this is not true as a servant of God. The reward for obedient service to God is eternal life, but its not earned as wages. Rather, it is the gift of God - it is unmerited, and it is obtained only through Jesus Christ our Lord. The central theme throughout the New Testament gospel is that all mankind, that can discern between right and wrong, are sinners. In this epistle, Paul says this has been true since the sin of Adam and Eve caused them to fall from God's grace. The gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ, was the sacrifice that allowed the sin of mankind to be remitted, and reconciliation made with God. Therefore, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and only through Him, can we receive this gift of God (which) is eternal life. Remission of sins is available only through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ (See Matt. 26:28). Upon hearing this message preached on the Day of Pentecost, many asked, "what shall we do?" The answer of the apostles was, repent and be baptized ...in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Those that obeyed were added to the body of Christ, His church (Vs. 41 & 47). The whole world needs to ask, "What shall we do (to be saved)?" The answer is still the same - repent and be baptized!