7/27/22
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (Romans 5-8)
God has done what The Law could not. He set us free from the control of man’s sinful nature.
Paul uses the language of the Jewish judicial system to illustrate the work of Grace that is God’s alone. In the Jewish court system there are only the accused, the accuser and a judge, no litigators. When the judge hears all evidence he finds the party guilty or he acquits. The person acquitted is described as ‘justified’ or ‘righteous,’ not as a moral statement, but as their status before the judge.
Adam, one man, brought sin into the world by a single act of disobedience, and doomed us all to death. Jesus’ one act of righteousness has made our acquittal available and life eternal is ours, free for the asking. Through faith, we are justified by God, our Judge.
We are not only the recipients of life ever lasting, but we can exist today, in peace, with hope, through the presence of the Holy Spirit. He is active and alive in everyone who choses to believe. Through this we can be like Christ in character and restored to our original, created likeness to our Father. Do not be defeated by your instincts and past sins. You are so much more than that; a new creation with infinite hope.
Love,
Gretchen