The Gift of God
A Sermon on Romans 6:23
Originally preached March 20, 1959
Scripture
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Romans 6:23 titled “The Gift of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says this verse in Romans concisely explains the gospel of Romans. The verse is a summary of the entire chapter and book, as well as the end of the argument to those who believed that they should continue in sin so that grace could be greater. Ultimately, there are only two possibilities facing each person in the world: the wages of sin is death or the gift of God is eternal life. Each of these two paths lead to an inevitable fate. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says there are a few contrasts to observe. These two paths differ in the master they serve, the conditions in which they serve, and the end to which the path leads. A Christian is in Christ and knows that they will have eternal life and imperishable glory with God forevermore. God’s purpose is to bring His people into this spotless holiness. One should never argue anything other than this and know God’s plan is the complete opposite of sin and death.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon begins by introducing the last verse of Romans 6, verse 23. This verse serves as a fitting conclusion to the chapter and sums up the argument Paul has been making.
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There are two possibilities in life: sin or God. Everyone serves either sin or God. There is no neutral ground.
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The two possibilities are completely different. There is nothing in common between them. They lead to different ends.
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Each possibility has an internal consistency and leads to an inevitable end. The end of sin is death. The end of serving God is eternal life.
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The first contrast is in the masters we serve: either sin or God. All non-Christian views belong to serving sin. The only thing that matters is who we serve.
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The second contrast is in the conditions under which we serve: either wages or a gift. Wages are earned and determined by the law. A gift is unmerited favor.
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The third contrast is in the ends: either death or eternal life. Death is separation from God. Eternal life is knowing God and being with Him forever.
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Eternal life begins now but will be fully realized in the future. We have a foretaste now and will receive the fullness of it in heaven.
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Everything is through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the way salvation and eternal life have been made possible. We are joined to Him.
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God's purpose is to bring us to glory. The gospel and being joined to Christ is the opposite of sin. It is irrational to think the gospel encourages sin.
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What accounts for people rejecting the gospel and choosing sin? They are spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, and blinded by Satan.
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What accounts for anyone becoming a Christian? The grace and mercy of God alone.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.