Most of us think that murder, robberies, drug and alcohol addiction, wife and child abuse and big things like that are bad. But we often think that our “little” lies, a “little” stealing, saying a few curse words, being proud, being unkind to others, etc. is normal and to be overlooked. If we are honest with ourselves, we realize that even the “little” sins hurt others and we are often hurt by lies, stealing, unkindness, gossip, and other sins. But God is 100% holy and cannot overlook our sin. Sin has caused our relationship with God to be broken. “For the wages of sin is death:” (Romans 6:23a) By sinning we earn our wage—death (eternal separation from God forever). But there is hope for us! The rest of Romans 6:23 says, “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is a gift. It is not something we work for and earn. If someone offers you a gift and you don’t believe them and therefore do not receive the gift, the gift does not become yours. It is the same with the gift of eternal life. We must believe what God says and receive it. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12)
