Verse of the Day 3/29

Verse of the Day 3/29

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  New King James Version (NKJV)

The third stanza of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" begins with "pardon for sin and a peace that endureth".  We cannot have true peace unless our sin is dealt with.  As we head towards Easter this should be at the forefront of our minds.  Without Jesus suffering, death on the cross and His resurrection, there would be no forgiveness of sin and there would be no true peace for us, now or for forever.

Just think of what it means for someone in prison to receive a pardon.  They are set free, the penalty has been cancelled.  For the Christian we have more than just freedom.  John Piper describes pardon this way, " Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift and power of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon."  

That wonderful word "grace" is at the heart of pardon, but as Piper states, it is "pardon with power".  Power not to sin, power to overcome temptation, power to overcome sin.  As verse 22 (below) states, "we have been set free from sin".

Today, thank the Lord for this indescribable gift and remember this gift all week as we head towards Easter Sunday.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Romans 6:20-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things isdeath. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit [a]to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the [b]gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.