Pursue Life

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

Sin has consequences. It disintegrates the soul. Instead of loving God with our whole being, and loving others as we love ourselves, we become fragmented. Consequently, the result is death. Death is the catch-all word for everything that is not of God. Anything that does not glorify God brings death. So instead of our will submitting to God’s will, we choose instead to follow our own desires. Instead of our minds being filled with God’s wisdom, we become fools. Instead of our emotions being filled with joy and peace, we suffer with depression or sorrow. Our bodies become slaves to whatever habit that does not honor God. Slowly it brings sickness and death. Consequently our relationships with God, with others, and, yes, even with creation itself, suffers. We die inside, even though our external world may look okay. These are wages or results of sin. But everything opposite of that, everything that glorifies God, and fulfills His purposes for us, everything that is good, pleasing and perfect, these are the gifts of God to us who believe in Christ Jesus. Why turn away from Him? Why follow other gods or idols in this world? Why focus your strength on what does not truly satisfy? Why pursue death instead of life? Only Jesus can give you real life! Only in Him can our lives become better — truly better — starting in the here and now and lasting forever! Follow Him and experience life! Shalom! (PB)