Verse of the Day 12/21

Verse of the Day 12/21

Romans 6:23

New International Version

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in  Christ Jesus our Lord.

You may not think of today's verse in relation to Christmas, probably because we focus on the gift of Jesus Christ, the possibility of salvation and eternal life through Him and with Him.  But the coming of Jesus in the flesh was in order to deal with sin and our need for a Savior.

The verse also reminds us that we cannot "earn" our salvation, it is a gift, a gift that we don't deserve.  In our own efforts we will always fall short and "miss the mark" (Rom. 3:23).  Death is eternal separation from God but people can be spiritually dead long before that. That separation is man living for himself, prone to addictions in many form.  Christ offers deliverance from that if we will hear His call and cry out to Him.

If you have some time, read Romans 6, think about the gift that has been offered to us.  I had the following notes attached to "gift" in my eBible.

"Take some time to consider the enormity of that statement. Even though we failed God's commands, even though we fell short of God's expectations for us, God still had enough love for us that he offered us a way out of the cycle. That way out is Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between human and divine as the mediator of a new relationship between God and humanity: a covenant of life rather than one of death (see Hebrews 12:24)."

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right


For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus                         (Cry Out to Jesus - Third Day)

Blessings,

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 International Version

20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a]

 Christ Jesus our Lord.