For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
This weekend, we celebrated Easter together, the greatest day in history when Jesus rose from the grave and defeated sin and death once and for all. As we reflect on Jesus’ earth-shattering resurrection and defeat of sin and death, it is important to pause and consider all that His death and resurrection mean not only for us but also for the entire world. We will start today at the very beginning by asking the question, “Why?” Why did Jesus leave heaven, come to earth, die a criminal’s death on a cross, although He was innocent, and rise from the grave? As we dive into Scripture today, we will see that He did it for you, for me, and for the entire world, so that everyone can receive forgiveness of sins if they place their faith in Him.
The apostle Paul explains that Jesus endured a criminal’s death on a cross and rose from the grave in order to rescue us from sin in Romans 6. In this passage of Scripture, he writes about the impact of sin on all of humanity. He wrote, “Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led even deeper into sin” (verse 19). As a result of our sin, Paul wrote, “You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom” (verse 21). Indeed, our sin leads us exactly where we do not want to be. It leads to eternal doom. Thanks be to God that we are not left on a path toward eternal doom if we have placed our faith in Him. That is why Paul concluded, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (verse 23). This verse makes it clear that Jesus died and rose from the grave to rescue humanity. We were lost in sin, headed toward death and a life apart from God forever. That is where sin leads us, lost and without hope, and in need of a Savior. God saw our need and sent Jesus. who came to earth and defeated sin and death by rising from the dead. Because of what He has done, he offers eternal life to all who place their faith in Him.
Why did Jesus come to earth, die on the cross, and rise from the dead? He did it for you. He did it for me. He came so that the entire world would have the opportunity to place their faith in Him. What a remarkable, wonderful Savior we have! He could have seen our sin and looked the other way, leaving us to be lost in our sin. Instead, He did something to rescue us. In fact, He stopped at nothing to rescue us, even when it meant laying down His life to conquer sin and death so that He could rescue us.
The good news that Jesus came to earth, died on a cross, rose from the grave, and defeated sin and death is too good to keep to ourselves. Who is someone in your life who needs to hear this good news? Reach out to them today. Invite them to get coffee or a meal soon, and be prepared to share the difference Christ has made in your life and wants to make in their lives, too, when you meet. As you prepare to meet with them, pray for them. Pray that God would turn their hearts toward Him and that they would come to place their faith in Christ.
“God, as I seek to make You known to others around me, use me…”
Romans 6:1-23
1Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
©2026 Sagebrush Church
