“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
—Romans 6:23
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL and comforting truth our text declares. Yes, “the wages of sin is death,” but for the believer those wages have been removed through the cross of Christ and His perfect obedience as our covenant Head. Therefore, we must NEVER boast in our works but must always say with the Apostle Paul that salvation is an absolutely free gift from God. “It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy” (Romans 9:16). Even as we must depend upon God for every breath of life, so we must depend upon Him for every aspect of our salvation.
EPHESIANS 2:8 SAYS that “we are saved by grace, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God.” This truth was clearly displayed while Jesus was being crucified between two thieves who ridiculed Him (Matt. 27:44). But later, according to Luke 23:42, one of them said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus promised him paradise that very day. What a wondrous change was wrought in that thief that very hour. Clearly, God granted him faith in the last moments of his earthly life to trust Jesus Christ for redemption. Moments before the thief had revealed hatred against Jesus, but now he believes Jesus is Lord and Savior.
THIS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES that salvation is by God’s grace, apart from our works. Christ ALONE earns salvation for His people and His Holy Spirit implants faith into the soul enabling sinners to desire Christ, to trust Christ, and to embrace the redemption from sin that He freely bestows. Are you looking to Christ ALONE for the salvation of your soul? Are you trusting only in Jesus as your righteousness before God? If so, then the Holy Spirit has renewed your soul. Praise Him this day and always for such a wondrous salvation in Jesus Christ. As the hymn writer proclaimed:
“Man of sorrows what a name for the Son of God, who came,
ruined sinners to reclaim: Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned he stood, sealed my pardon with his blood: Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Guilty, helpless, lost were we; blameless Lamb of God was he,
sacrificed to set us free: Hallelujah, what a Savior!
He was lifted up to die; “It is finished” was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high: Hallelujah, what a Savior!
When he comes, our glorious King, all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing: Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
Tuesday Encouragement: June 17, 2025
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
