I have read this verse many times before but today a new thought occurred to me; wages are what you earn.  Well that seems a little simple now. I might be really slow in getting this truth, but I would love the opportunity to explain my “ah ha” moment.

The first time I remember earning money was babysitting.  I felt so grown up earning those few dollars.
The first job I remember interviewing for was to work for the county fair in the grandstand ticket box,  selling tickets for the week’s events. I was over the moon about this temporary job because I would earn enough money to buy my first pair of contacts.  It was just one of those luxuries that my parents did not see fit to hand over to me.  So I had to earn the money to pay for them myself and I tell you what, those contacts were just amazing!  What are your first memories of earning a wage?

I have since gone on to earn many many things.  I have worked in retail and gained experience in handling customers, and running a cash register. I have worked in the field of design and both contributed to my social security fund, as well as gained valuable experience with colors and balance etc.  I have been self-employed as a seamstress and a consultant.  I have worked in sales, accounting, and data processing departments of a few businesses.  Oh, and a year as a bank teller as well.  All of this has given me financial gain as well as adding to my “life experience” account.

Like you, in all of the work experiences that I had, I expected to receive the wage I had earned.  I would have been very disappointed and thought it unfair to have had my wages withheld, right?

There is another wage that I have been earning over the years according to Romans 6:23 and that is death. What do I mean by that?  You see, I can easily admit that every day of my life while I was earning earthly wages I was either choosing to deny God’s authority, or I was intentionally or unintentionally not following His will for my life, or both.  You need an example?  Ok, today, I caught myself driving about 7 miles over the speed limit on the way in to an appointment.  I try to obey the laws of this world because God very much wants me to honor authority.  But I failed.  I had an opportunity to pray with someone today that needed encouragement and I chose to keep to my schedule and not take the time for them, that selfish behavior isn’t part of God’s will for my life.  The day isn’t over!

Do you see how I could work and work and work and work all of my life long and would always have sin piled up that has a very permanent wage attached to it?  With my deepest wishes and heartfelt efforts I cannot earn His approval, His love, compassion, a place in His home, heart, or in heaven.  All I have been able to earn so far is death and hell and it honestly wouldn’t matter how good I’ve been or how long I lived, I would have the same truth to tell.

BUT there is a gift that has been offered to me.  Something that I can either accept or deny.  It’s the gift of life.  Forever and ever, eternal life.

Isn’t that amazing?  Oh this story, His story, is more involved than that, but I don’t believe the rest of it matters nearly as much as the difference between receiving the wage of eternal death and separation from God that I have earned, or accepting the gift of eternal life that Christ has given.  Those terms are pretty clear.  The deal is very sweet from my perspective.  And I accept!