“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
God is the author of life. He created every living creature. But as a consequence of sin, “it is appointed for man to die once” (Hebrews 9:27). Physical death is visible all around us, both in the animal world and in humans. But sin also leads to spiritual death, meaning that we have lost our connection with God, the source of real life and joy.
It’s primarily this spiritual death that is reversed by Jesus Christ. If we believe in Him, we receive eternal life. Our relationship with God is restored, and as a result the final power of physical death is also broken. Believers still have to die, but God will raise them from the dead and then they will live forever.
This eternal life is a “free gift”, Romans 6 tells us. We do not overcome death ourselves. We would never be able to! But Jesus holds the keys of death. He has destroyed its power by dying Himself in our place. Therefore, He can now give eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.
Do you accept this gift?