Do You Want What You Deserve?
Thinking about Romans 6:20-23.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:20-23)
Paul reminded Christians that while they had once lived a life of sin, they were now set free from sin (Romans 6:7) to serve a new Master.
As Romans 6 concludes, Paul will show the different end results of living for sin versus living for God.
The End Result of Sin is Death.
When someone lives for sin, they cannot live for righteousness (Matthew 6:24). Paul refers to Christians as being “ashamed” of the things they used to do and the life they used to live. They realized the life of sin what not what it appeared to be.
Sin promises to be a friend while it is really a foe; it promises life while it brings death; it promises freedom while it brings slavery; it promises laughter while it brings remorse and shame. - McGuiggan, Romans, 198
The “end of those things is death” - “the wages of sin is death.” Wages speak to something that is earned or deserved.
Sin, the harsh taskmaster, always pays a handsome wage, and never misses a payday. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 222
The end result of the things they were now ashamed of was death. That end result would be what was rightfully earned by their sin (Romans 3:23).
So do you want what you deserve?
The End Result of Righteousness is Eternal Life.
Thankfully, the end result of sin is not the only path available.
Those who have been set free from sin by the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-7, 17-18) and have become servants of God have a different end result. They live a life of holiness - set apart for the service of the Master. And the end result they have to look forward to is not death but eternal life.
Eternal life is the “free gift of God,” and it is offered only “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He is the only way, truth, and life (John 14:6). While this gift cannot be earned, there is still a lifestyle of “holiness” demanded of God’s servants.
Paul was very clear that good works do not merit salvation, but after conversion we are expected to produce good works (see 1 Corinthians 3:10-13; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10). - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 222
The gospel of Christ does not encourage sinful living - it encourages the opposite. The gospel teaches the end result of sin and calls Christians to live holy lives for their new Master - the gracious giver of eternal life.
The true value of any “way of life” is measured by where it leads those who follow its path. - Wacaster, Studies in Romans, 245
The gospel of Jesus Christ fully declares and demonstrates the horrific end of sin. The “good news” is that through Jesus Christ, sinners do not have to continue on this path.
All are called to come to Him - and to walk in the path which leads to life.
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
So which path will you travel?
Do you want what you deserve or the gracious gift God offers through His Son?