By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Wages or Gift?

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“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 New International Version

American English is riddled with baseball metaphors.  We use them so commonly that we forget they even refer to baseball!

Think of this metaphor, “That guy really struck out”.  Or “Three strikes and you’re out.”  We all understand the phrase.  You get three tries and if you fail, you sit down, you’re “out”.

That’s like our vain attempts at trying to keep the Ten Commandments.  How is your batting average with keeping God’s commands?  Are you 0 for 10?  I know I am.  I have not loved God nor my neighbor as I ought… and because of that, I’m out of the game of life.  My punishment is one of eternal condemnation, and no matter what I do, I am not going to get on base.

Fortunately, God sent in a pinch hitter for me.  What I could not do, He did.  He kept the law perfectly, He was perfectly obedient, He laid down His life and took on the sins of the world.  He not only got to first base, He hit a home run.  His sacrifice brings us all home, home to God and to life in Him.  Thank you, Jesus!

Paul uses another metaphor to describe what Jesus did for us.  “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  What I earned brings eternal death, but God’s gift of grace in Jesus brings me eternal life.  What I could not earn on my own, He gave to me.  When I deserved it not, God loved me and saved me.

Whatever metaphors we may use to describe it, God’s love is not something we earn or deserve, but His love is freely given in Jesus Christ our Lord.  No matter what errors I may have committed, Jesus’ forgiveness erases them all!  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado