The apostle Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit: “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). This is what one must pay himself for the sins he committed. “Death” in its base is a separation; the body is dead when the spirit departs (James 2:26). In the case of the death, as “the wages of sin,” it is a separation from God; here and now and eternally. Therefore, there is no greater price to be paid than “the wages of sin!”
A second point which must be understood, when dealing with the subject of sin and “the wages of sin,” is: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). This means that all have suffered separation from God at some time in their lives. Darkness has come upon all, who are of mental accountable ability; there was no spiritual fellowship with God at this time; zero fellowship with God is a spiritual state of death. Spiritually speaking, such people are without God in this present world. There is no worse spiritual state in this life!
It is here that a person needs to read, of the compelling force in God making forgiveness available to lost mankind: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It was and is the love of God which compelled him to so act: “that he gave his only begotten Son.” Paul put it this way: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Please note, “while we were yet sinners,” when we were spiritually dead, separated from God; it was God’s love that compelled him to move in our favor – grace! At a time when we were enemies of God, God loved us, yes, even me!
Another point which must be seen just here is that heaven and hell are real! All mankind will be in one or the other eternally. The difference being, do we pay “the wages of sin,” which is death, our self, which ends in eternal separation from God: hell; or do we benefit from the redemptive blood of Jesus which ends in eternal fellowship with God: heaven? However, remember, when we sin, we deserve death; now and eternally! It was God who gave us a choice; who gave us the opportunity, by means of the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19), to avoid paying “the wages of sin” our self.
As the “old time preachers used to say, “I have said all that in order to say this,” does the fact that God has made your salvation possible, by the death of his “only begotten Son,” mean anything to you? Does it produce love for God without your heart? If not this, then what would produce love in your heart? To all those who are saved, having been forgiven of sins committed, and now having the hope of eternal life; do you love God? Please understand here, it is not the words, “I love God,” that are being called for. No, the question is about the evidence of such love. It is so easy to say, “I love God,” as words come cheaply, but love is an inner quality, which cannot be seen in and of itself. True love is seen, evidenced, by outward action.
If you were on trial, could you prove by evidence, to the twelve people in the jury box, that you are a person who loves God? As you think about this point, remember the words of Jesus: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Still more, as you think about the evidence, keep in mind, the first commandment of all commandments is: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). Is your life lived in such a manner, that the evidence is so compelling, that you could convince the twelve people in the jury box, that you love God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength?
Friends, look at the blood flowing from the body of Jesus, look at the cross and see that sinless one, who shed his blood to redeem you from “the wages of sins.” Then, answer the question, “Where is the evidence of my love?”
— Frank R. Williams