By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
MONDAY – October 20, 2025
THEME: HOPE BEYOND DEATH: PART I
SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
REFLECTIONS
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” is one of the most profound and undeniable Bible passages. The statement is a fact, truth, promise, and guarantee. Because it is the word of God, it carries the power to fulfill. Therefore, it must be believed and acted upon with sincerity and devotion.
The first part of the verse is as true as the second part. Sin results in death. This means that everyone who lives in sin is rewarded with their choice—death. It also shows that every cause has an effect. If we sin, the consequence is death, and this is experienced firsthand. As long as we are born into sin and live in sin, no one can escape death naturally. That paints a very bleak picture for humanity and makes life seem meaningless – but that is the truth.
However, the second part of the verse offers a caveat and an opportunity to escape the penalty of death for a meaningful life: “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Remember, it is a gift from God; it is not forced upon anyone. Instead, it is an offer that we must choose to accept or reject with our free will. The decision is yours. Verse 22 sets the tone for the following verse: “[22]But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. [23]For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In Christ, we are beneficiaries of grace—undeserved favor—and we are rewarded undexpectedly with eternal life as a gift. Dying to sin and becoming slaves to Christ and righteousness is the path to eternal glory and happiness. God graciously grants eternal life to everyone born into sin. We all have the opportunity to accept the promise or ignore it and face the consequences that sin has already brought into our lives. Not accepting Christ’s offer will lead to a painful and damning end to a life of suffering here on earth. Life and death are presented to us, but choose life—the wise choice.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 282 – “I Hear Thy Welcome Voice”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His gift of eternal life, and pray that you and your family will accept it.
– Pray for the unreached with the Gospel, backslidden, unbelievers, and individuals you are praying for.
– Pray for our nation to be God-fearing, a people that show respect and love, families that love God, peace within neighboring countries, and young people seeking jobs.
