Go! And Receive the Gift of Life - Romans 6:23 & Romans 10:9
Introduction: The Greatest Choice You Will Ever Make
Life is full of choices. Some choices seem small—what to eat, what to wear—but others are life-altering. Yet, the greatest choice of all is one that affects not just this life, but eternity.
The Bible makes it clear: We all have a decision to make—will we choose sin, which leads to death, or will we choose God’s free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ?
Romans 6:23 (NLT) says:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 10:9 (NLT) tells us how to receive this gift:
"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Today, we will explore these verses in depth and see how God is calling us to Go! And Receive the Gift of Life!
1. Go! And Recognise the Cost of Sin
Romans 6:23 begins with a stark reality:
"For the wages of sin is death..."
The word "wages" in Greek is ?????a (opsonia), meaning payment or earnings. It was often used for a soldier’s wages—what they earned for their service.
Sin earns us something—death.
This is not just physical death but eternal separation from God.
Genesis 2:17 (NLT) – "If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die."
From the very beginning, sin has carried the consequence of death.
James 1:15 (NLT) – "These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death."
Sin, when fully grown, leads to destruction.
The world downplays sin, but God never does—sin is deadly!
Recognising the cost of sin should lead us to repentance.
We cannot save ourselves—we need a Saviour!
Imagine a man drowning in a vast ocean. He tries to swim but cannot save himself. He needs rescue. Sin is like that ocean—we cannot escape it alone. We need Jesus!
John MacArthur says: "The sinner is not a mistaker who needs correction, but a rebel who needs salvation."
2. Go! And Receive the Free Gift of Life
Romans 6:23 continues:
"...but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
The word "free gift" is ????sµa (charisma)—a grace-gift, something given freely and undeserved.
Eternal life is not earned—it is a gift from God through Jesus!
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) – "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God."
Salvation is God’s gift, not our achievement!
John 3:16 (NLT) – "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
God gave His Son so that we might receive life!
Salvation is not something we earn—it is freely given.
Accepting this gift means trusting in Jesus alone for salvation.
Stop trying to "be good enough"—Jesus has already paid the price!
A father buys his child a bicycle for Christmas. The child doesn’t have to work for it—it is a gift. But if the child never receives it, the gift is useless. God’s gift of salvation is offered to all—but it must be received!
Billy Graham said: "Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have."
3. Go! And Confess Jesus as Lord
Romans 10:9 gives us the response to the gift:
"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
The word "declare" in Greek is ?µ?????? (homologeo)—to confess, to agree with, to acknowledge openly.
Declaring Jesus as Lord means submitting to Him as the ruler of your life.
Matthew 10:32 (NLT) – "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven."
Confessing Jesus is not just private—it must be public!
Philippians 2:10-11 (NLT) – "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord."
Every person will one day acknowledge Jesus—will you do it willingly today?
We cannot be silent believers—we must openly confess Jesus as Lord.
A true confession means we submit to Christ’s authority.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—declare Jesus as Lord today!
Imagine a man about to marry his bride but refusing to tell anyone. A true love is never hidden! If we truly love Jesus, we confess Him boldly!
Charles Spurgeon said: "A Jesus who is not Lord is not Jesus at all."
4. Go! And Believe in the Resurrection
Romans 10:9 also says:
"...and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
The resurrection is essential to salvation!
The Greek word for "believe" is p?ste?? (pisteuo)—meaning to trust fully.
It is not just intellectual agreement—it is heart-level trust.
1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT) – "If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins."
The resurrection proves Jesus’ victory over sin!
John 11:25 (NLT) – "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."
Jesus is our life—our hope is in Him!
Faith in Jesus’ resurrection means trusting that He alone saves.
The resurrection proves that sin and death are defeated.
If Jesus rose from the dead, He is worth following completely!
If a doctor found a cure for death itself, wouldn’t you listen? Jesus IS the cure for death—He has conquered the grave!
Tim Keller said: "If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He said."
Conclusion: Go! And Receive the Gift of Life!
Romans 6:23 and Romans 10:9 give us a choice:
Sin = Death
Jesus = Life
Call to Action:
Recognise that sin leads to death.
Receive the free gift of life.
Confess Jesus as Lord.
Believe in His resurrection!
Invitation to Faith
If you have never made Jesus your Lord, today is the day! Pray:
"Lord Jesus, I confess You as Lord. I believe You died and rose again. Forgive my sins and give me eternal life. Amen."
Hallelujah! Jesus is Lord!
