Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 20

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NLT).

From: July 20, 2018

WAGES ARE EARNED BUT GIFTS ARE RECEIVED

The word translated “wages” was used to denote a Roman soldier’s pay during Paul’s time. So, “wages” are earned. Since we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23), we have all earned death. Death is the just desert for a life of sin. This death is not only the death of the body, but as it stands in opposition to “eternal life,” it is the eternal damnation of the soul, which is the “second death” (Rev. 20:14-15).

So, the wages of sin coincides with and follows the life of sin. Wages are given as they are earned and after they are earned. But the “free gift” of God is given before the life of righteousness that follows. After all, it is the receiving of the free gift of God that sets the sinner free from sin’s slavery and sin’s wages, so that they are made righteous before God and given eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

The economy of fallen humanity is about earning, but the economy of God is about receiving. Will you stop trying to earn that which can only be received? Receive the free gift of God, which is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord and be set free from the wages of sin, which is death.

“Now Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite” (2 Chronicles 3:1 NKJV).

From: July 20, 2017

Solomon built the Temple on “Mount Moriah” where his father, David, had instructed. This was the place that the Lord had relented from His judgment for David’s sin in taking a census of Israel (2 Sam. 24:16). The Lord had told David to erect an altar on that very place where the Lord had heard David’s prayer and relented, which was the threshing floor of Ornan (Also spelled “Araunah”). So, David purchased the place and built an altar there.

This was also the area where the Lord instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac: “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” (Gen. 22:2).

The “land of Moriah,” which became known as Jerusalem, was also the place where Jesus, Son of David, Son of God was offered as the Lamb of God for our sins. The Lord was merciful on Abraham and on David, yet He poured out the judgment that belonged to us upon His only Son, Jesus.

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11 ESV)

From: July 20, 2016

“Consider yourselves dead to sin.” Not toiling, nor working, but counting yourself dead to that sin which once enslaved you. And in the same breath consider yourself “alive to God.” Calling upon the Name of Jesus who paid the price for your adoption, be filled with the Spirit and walk in His power. Let Christ remove the grave clothes of your old life. Like Lazarus, arise and come forth! Put on your new clothes of righteousness in Christ Jesus and truly live!

“For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10 NKJV)

From: July 20, 2015

This Psalm of David was quoted by the apostle Peter (Acts 2:25-36) as a biblical proof that Jesus Christ, Son of David, was prophesied to rise from the dead without seeing “corruption.” Peter preached this sermon on the day of Pentecost and 3,000 Jews from all over the world came to faith in Christ. David’s prophesy had come to pass. Now everyone who trusts in Christ can be assured that the Holy One who defeated death and the grave will not abandon us, but will raise us to life to dwell forever with Him.

“So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11 NLT)

From: July 20, 2014

“Consider yourselves” dead to sin. Not trying, nor working, but counting yourself dead to that sin which once enslaved you. And in the same breath consider yourself “alive to God.” Calling upon the Name of Jesus who paid the price for your adoption, be filled with the Spirit and walk in His power. Stop wearing the grave clothes. Arise, come forth! Put on clothes of righteousness and live!

“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” (Romans 6:13)

From: July 20, 2012

Stop trying to break a sin-habit and focus on giving that part of your life to God. Draw on the spiritual life of Christ that abides within believers. The Christian is not focused on no longer sinning, but living righteously for God.

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise” (Proverbs 19:20)

From: July 20, 2011

Are you teachable? You’re never too smart or too old to learn. At the heart of a teachable spirit is humility, so be humble enough to learn from others. Great leaders are life-long learners.