We Have Earned Our Wages

In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul lays out what is a pretty complete treatise on the Christian faith. What we find is that Paul anchors all of our belief, our return to God, our very salvation, in the simple realization that we have strayed from the path God intended for us. Without exception!

This “straying” is referred to as “sin”. In discussing this issue Paul writes, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23) Do you know what Paul means when he says “all”? Wait for it. He means “all”. Nothing deep and theological here. Humor me on this simple point. He is being completely inclusive. There are no exceptions. Everyone is included, both then and now, in “all”. Simply put, “all” means all.

Then Paul, in this great doctrinal outline of the Christian faith, continues his instruction about sin. After establishing that we are all sinners and none of us are blameless, he makes it clear that, left on our own, our sin results in death. Separated from God because darkness and light cannot coexist. Paul writes, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

I think that there are times in our lives when things just click. Perhaps especially where spiritual things are concerned. We read or hear something time and time again, but one day something occurs that makes it take root. For me, I understood the idea that our sin results in death in my head. I believed it. I knew it was true but my heart hadn’t quite caught up. Then something simple happened on a business trip I was taking. Something so small that I could have shrugged it off but somehow God used it to make this idea take root. He used it to increase the realization of my need for His grace.

So, as I said, I was on a business trip. I don’t remember when or where I was going. What I remember is having to use the restroom. You know, one of those really spacious airplane restrooms that most of us try to avoid. Well, practicing excellent hygiene, I turned to wash my hands in the sink. There on the counter I saw what looked like a one-hundred-dollar bill. I’ll admit there was a rush of excitement at what looked like a sudden windfall.

You might guess that what I saw wasn’t really a one-hundred-dollar bill. When I picked it up and looked closer, I saw that what was very real looking was actually printed on card stock the size and shape of money. At the bottom in bold lettering was “THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH”. In a split second I almost dropped it like it was contagious waste. Then, just as quickly, I wondered, “What is this doing here?”. Was it left on purpose or forgotten? Then I opened the card and saw, in just as startling graphics, flames. Flames of orange, yellow and red with, again printed in bold letters, the words “YOU HAVE EARNED YOUR WAGES”. The implication of hell was clear.

I’m not sure what it was that made that message so clear to me. What made it hit me so hard. In fact, I’ve told the story to a few folks and the response is usually “Yeah, so, and…” Maybe you’re thinking the same thing. For me though, I was struck in a new way how serious my sin is. That I am fully responsible. I’m certain the Holy Spirit was working on my heart, for whatever reason, on that day, at that hour, in that tiny little bathroom. I needed to be reminded that my sin was serious. In that moment, I wept and prayed in gratitude for the forgiveness that God, in His gracious mercy, had given me through Jesus.

Whether that story means anything to you or not, it did for me. Maybe you have your own story of the startling realization of your own sin. If you do, share it with someone! The point is that we all have to realize that our sin is our problem. We must admit that we are sinners and need a Savior to resolve our sin problem. Sin separates us from the perfect God who created us.

The Bible is clear regarding our responsibility for our sin. “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (Jms 1:13-15)  We hear those words and we don’t like them, do we? We want to blame someone else. We don’t want to take responsibility. We’ll even blame God with a pointing finger. We know the scripture rings true though, don’t we? Our conscience confirms it! It is our own desires that cause us to sin and be separated from God. We separate ourselves from God while He has worked through history to bring us back.

Thank God that He has done the work to bring me back to Him. Thank God that He has given us “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I can’t earn His precious gift. It is a GIFT! It can only be given.

Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word and has led Sunday School, Bible Studies, and Small Groups of all ages. He has served as a supply preacher and has been a lead speaker and seminar leader at Couples Retreats, Men’s Retreats, and Family and Youth Camps. David’s first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. “What Do I Say When Asked about Jesus?” gives the average Christian tools to help share about Jesus while increasing confidence in their own faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters.

Image by Basanta Mondal from Pixabay