Day 317, or November the 13th. Surely I have
to do something. Our thoughts today come from
Romans chapter 6, verse 23. For the wages of
sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord. And now the big
picture surrounding this verse. As an example
to all of us, Paul turns to the father of Judaism,
Abraham, and reminds his readers that the law
of Moses wasn't around until centuries after
the time of Abraham, and when God declares Abraham
as righteous, there is no record of Abraham having
done anything to earn such an accolade. In fact,
he hadn't even been circumcised. He was later,
but when God announced him to be righteous or
acceptable, Circumcision hadn't even been introduced.
So what was Paul trying to say? Surely it's this.
We are only seen as right in God's eyes when
we have faith in him and believe in him and trust
in him. It's belief and state of heart, not simply
work and effort. And now today's action step.
Our verse today is very stark. It's an either
-or. which means there is no middle -of -the
-road compromise. It's one or the other, and
that's it. Paul makes it very clear to his readers
when he declares that doing wrong and turning
your back on God gives you the right to die,
that's all. You've earned it, that's why it's
called wages. You've worked hard for it, because
life can be a struggle at times, can't it? Struggling
on and on, with only the grave as your reward,
confirms to me why most people will do anything
to stay alive as long as possible. So what's
the alternative? It's a gift, not a right or
a privilege, but a gift. Instead of physical
death that's been earned, it's a gift of eternal
life from God through Christ, which is yours
for the asking. Death or life, and no one can
choose for you. Some of us hate making decisions,
and saunter through life making as few as possible.
This is one you have to make, and in reality
you say no if you do nothing. Surely this is
worth a moment's thought, and maybe yet another
reminder to listen to Day 21 again.