Life and Death

    1. MANY TIMES I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS:
      1. These situations could in one way, or another, switch from life to death.
      2. These are very perilous situations that are dangerous and hazardous.
      3. There is a similar situation with man in regards to his spiritual well-being.
        1. The turning point on what the outcome will be hinges on the way we live in regards to sin.
        2. If living in sin we see one result; and living free of sin we see another result.

      Note: This brings to my mind this passage of Scripture:

    2. SCRIPTURE READING:

      3. Romans 6:23 = "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

      Comment: Paul in this passage writes of three very significant things:

        1. Sin.
        2. Wages of sin.
        3. Gift of God.

  1. DISCUSSION:

    1. SIN:
      1. The Greek word is hamartia, pronounced (ham-ar-tee'-ah); a sin, or offence. It from the base Greek word, hamartano, pronounces (ham-ar-tan'-o), meaning to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), that is, to err, or more specifically to sin; It is missing the mark – that is to err in sin that we would miss the heavenly home.

        2. Comment: Paul has this is mind when he wrote:

        Philippians 3:12-14 = "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

        1 Corinthians 9:24-27 = "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

      2. It is when one falls -- That is falls from a lofty position.
      3. It is iniquity – A departure from a straight line to that of a zigzag course.
      4. It is lawlessness – A disregard of divine law.

        5. 1 John 3:4 = "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

      5. It is unrighteousness – An ungodly manner of life.

        6. 1 John 5:17 = "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death."

      6. It is a failure to do that which is good.

      James 4:17 = "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

    2. THE WAGES OF SIN:
      1. Comment: Sin is presented by Paul as a master, or employer, that pays his employees,
        or slaves for the services they render.
      2. "Wages" originally meant a soldier’s small allowance for toilsome and dangerous
        service.
      3. When sin enters the picture the situation of one’s spiritual life has now become a "Life
        or Death" situation.
        1. That which Satan offers for service in sin are the "wages of death"
        2. That which is offered by God for service in righteousness is life.

          3. Acts 17:28 = "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."

        3. We are separated from the source of life by sin:
          1. The results of sin is death.

            2. Isaiah 59:1-2 = "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

          2. Adam’s sin brought physical death.

            3. Romans 5:12 = "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"

          3. Our own sins, unless repent off, will bring the second death.

      Revelation 21:8 = "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

    3. THE GIFT OF GOD:
      1. What is it?
        1. The gift of God is every man is life.

          2. Note: Of all the gifts in the possession of man, that he prizes most is "Life".

          Genesis 1:26-27 = "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Genesis2:7 =  "And the LORD God formed man
          of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.          "

        2. It is eternal life.
          1. Eternal in duration and eternal in a world free of sin.

            2. Psalm 55:6 = "And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest."

            Job 7:16 = "I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity."

          2. It is a better life of eternal fellowship with God and His Son.

        John 17:3 = "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

      2. How do we receive this eternal life? -- "Through Christ Jesus our Lord" 
        = Romans 6:23.
        1. In Christ is life and all spiritual blessings.

          2. John 1:4 = "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."

          Ephesians 1:3 = "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

        2. There is no other way to receive these blessings.

  2. CONCLUSION:

    1. WE ACCEPT THIS GIFT WHEN WE ACCEPT THE GIVER – CHRIST.
    2. WE ACCEPT THE GIVER WHEN WE OBEY HIM FROM THE HEART.

      3. Romans 6:17-18 = "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."

    3. DEATH AND LIFE ARE SET BEFORE THE SONS OF MEN AND ONLY BY CHOOSING LIFE CAN WE LIVE.

      4. Deuteronomy 30:19 = "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

    4. OUR TEXT IS BUT ONE SHORT VERSE AND YET IS ABOUNDS IN CONTRASTS:
      1. Sin verses God
      2. Wages verses gift.
      3. Death verses life.
    5. WHAT WILL YOUR CHOICE BE?

Back to the Top