Monday, June 30, 2014

June 30, 2014 

Romans 6: 12 - 23

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life.  This is a quotation that I remember hearing from a very young age in church and Sunday School.  I thought I understood it - with my head at least.  But rereading this passage has made me think a bit more about what Paul is getting at. Is it that unforgiven sin lands us in hell (whatever that might be), but accepting Jesus results in God forgiving the sin and welcoming us into heaven (totally undeserved)?  Both of these being after our life on earth is over. That is certainly the main thrust of what I remember being taught.

This time, I read a different translation (The Message) and found that the emphasis shifted.

Paul seems to be talking not so much about what happens after this life is over, so much as about the quality of life here and now.  Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death.  But God’s gift is real life, eternal life (23).  A pension is received while still living.  Earlier in the passage, when talking about choosing how to live, which “boss” to obey, he says that a life that only considers self and ignores God is no life at all; it is a dead end.  But, he says, if we listen to God and follow his way of doing things, we shall be surprised by a whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! (22) 

Paul says that real freedom is in obedience to God.  That seems to be a contradiction.  Sounds like I have to do things I don’t want to do.  However, Paul reminds us of our own experience:  some acts of so-called freedom...destroy freedom...your last free act (16).  A drug addict certainly knows the truth of this!  But I’m not a drug addict, so does this still hold true?  I think it does.  For instance, if I hold on to anger or hurt, refuse to forgive, don’t share generously .....  who suffers most?  I do.  Those negative emotions and behaviours are crippling, making it difficult to experience the life that God wants for each one of us.  

The challenge then is to throw [myself/ourselves] wholeheartedly and full time ... into God’s way of doing things....living in the freedom of God.(13-14)  We can experience the rewards of our choices here and now, not just in the future.  We don’t have to wait for the life God offers.  Live in God’s freedom,...lives healed and expansive in holiness. (19) Sounds good!!

Blessings

Ann Kelland