PayDay or Christmas Day
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield
ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are
alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:12-13).
Sin is an inherited, deceptive service tyrannical in its’ every form. It is notable that the word ‘yield’
means “to stand beside, as in offering something.” The very choice of words suggests a surgical nurse standing
beside a tray of instruments, ready to give to the surgeon whatever he requires to perform his task. Unfortunately,
so many beautiful lives of promise and hope have been wasted and destroyed in the deceptive surgical arenas of
sin where God’s intentions are twisted and misshapen in the service of sin, which is unto death.
Our service to the Lord Jesus Christ, however, is a Divine service; a Holy service; a service with a
glorious yet unmerited ending. Paul reminds us of the consequences of making the right choices about yielding
and obeying. Then, looking beyond our faults he gives glory to God, and rightly so … “God be thanked, that ye
were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Serving the Lord is a labour
of love offered by those set free from sin, to the One that set them free. This service is for the emancipated …
the liberated. And, by personal experience, we know that He that the Son hath set free is free, indeed!
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What was your reward from
those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from
sin, and become servants to God, ye have your reward unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages
of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:16-23).
The 19th century minister Robert Lee said, “A man may merit Hell, but he cannot merit Heaven.” Let’s
think about this. What did you get in your service to sin? Unfortunately, the slaves of sin do not usually pause to
think about consequences. Sin is viewed as a master. We were born in sin; it is the dread inheritance of the sons
of men. In spite of its promises, and the pleasure in the act of sinning, oh, the bitterness afterwards.
The wages of sin is death. Why not “wages of righteousness?” Even for the righteous, eternal life can
only be a gift. Being paid wages for sin is evidence of the pittance of reward earned for performing the works of
the flesh.
The gift of God is eternal life. It cannot be earned. It is not a financial settlement ‘to be negotiated.’ No,
paychecks received as wages earned, even if received on Christmas day, cannot be considered as a gift. It was
earned.
But, based on the birth of the child lying in Bethlehem’s manger, God’s very best gift, wrapped in
swaddling cloths, is offered. “It’s OK. Go ahead and read who the gift is for. Turn the tag over―now read.”
Whosoever …
Francis Mason
Pastor Mason