THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WAGES and GIFTS

Wages are payments made by an employer to an employee for work done, whereas gifts are anything given to another voluntarily at no cost, with no work involved.

The Scriptures tell us: "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Which of these two appeals to you? Regarding our relationship with God, we can choose which of the two we'd rather have, wages or a gift. We all deserve death (the payment of hell) for our sins because God's holiness makes it impossible for us to have a relationship with Him. However, God offered us eternal life (heaven) as a gift, not as payment for anything good we've done. How could He do that? How can some go to hell and others to heaven?

Again, the Scriptures say, "This is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). In other words, Jesus took on the punishment those who believe in Him deserve: "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son" (John 3:18).

Sin will therefore be paid for: either by the sinner or the Savior, Jesus. If you'd rather pay for your own sins, do nothing different from what you are doing now, and in the end, God will ensure you receive the wages due you (hell). People sometimes joke about wanting to go or not minding going to hell, but hell is no joke; it is a place of torment.

Please think it over and choose wisely. On the other hand, if you want to accept God's free gift and escape hell, repent and place your faith in Jesus, who died in your place. Please pray the prayer below:

"Dear God, I know I'm a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."

Praying this prayer sincerely makes you a child of God; He has removed your sins from you as far as the east is from the west (see Psalm 103:12). You are now ready to enjoy the benefits of being His child. First, He has put His Holy Spirit into your heart as confirmation that you are his child. He will start communicating with you through the Bible. Read it, pray daily, and join a local Bible-believing church for fellowship and growth in your faith.

Make sure you obey what you read, and before you know it, your new life will be evident to you and others; you'll begin to hate what's evil and love what is right (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Seek opportunities to share your new life with others, so they may also come to understand and accept the gospel.

Dear reader, make sure Jesus' death has atoned for your sins because "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Otherwise, you will forfeit God's gift, and accept the payment for your own sins!