SOAP 05/25/2012; Romans 6:23

Today's reading: 1 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 9; Psalms ??; Romans 6
     
S)"²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
     

Romans 6:23 (NASB)

     

O) Romans just hits such amazing points about God's grace and our salvation! It's no wonder believers have used tools like the Romans Road to Salvation (which is a handy string of verses through Romans that lays out the path of salvation). As a matter of fact, this verse is the second step in that path (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9, 8:1).
     
A) The thing that is so important to me about this verse is the reminder that sin is bad because it brings death! All sin, too, not just the "really bad sins." All sin harms, that's why it's bad. God isn't making arbitrary rules for me to follow. He's not trying to make me jump through hoops. He sets His way before me because it leads to life and prevents harm. I need to remember that, especially when I'm faced with temptation.

     

P) Father, thank You for this free gift of life, God. Let me honor that gift by fighting to hold onto the purity You have established in me. Holy Spirit, when I am tempted, and I know temptation will continue to come my way, remind me of this verse. Remind me of the simple truth that sin brings death. Let me be fully convinced of this, so that my convictions of the Truth are reflected in my actions. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.