A Study of Polar Opposites from Romans 3:23

By Edd Sterchi

 

For the …                              But ...

     the wages (earned)           gift (not earned)

     of sin (unholiness)            of God (holiness)

     is death (separation)         is eternal life (everlasting fellowship)

 

That’s quite a stark contrast, isn’t it? You just can’t get more diametric than those two statements. What makes the difference between them? What is it that divides them into polar opposites? The rest of the verse reveals what puts one on one side or the other: “in Christ Jesus the Lord.” You see, if we are “in” Jesus Christ, then we are given the gift of eternal life from a holy God.

    Galatians 3:27 clearly reveals that we “put on Jesus” (i.e. become “in” Him) being baptized into Him. It is then that we reach His soul-cleansing, sin-washing sacrifice (Romans 6:3-5).

    Are you “in” Jesus?

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/