1. The Wages of Sin:
Now, let's get real here. Sin, it's that sneaky, enticing force that promises pleasure but pays in pain. It's like a toxic paycheck that promises the world but leaves us bankrupt in spirit. The Word tells us plainly, "For the wages of sin is death." Sin doesn't play fair, my friends. It lures us in with temporary highs but delivers lasting lows. It separates us from the Source of life, leaving us spiritually destitute. So, when sin knocks, remember, its paycheck is death.

2. The Free Gift of God:
But oh, there's hope! In the midst of our brokenness, God extends an extravagant offer, a gift beyond measure. It's not based on our merit or good deeds; it's a free gift of grace. Eternal life, my beloved, offered through the sacrificial love of Christ Jesus our Lord. This gift is undeserved, unearned, yet freely given to all who choose to receive it. It's a lifeline thrown to us in the stormy seas of sin and death. Embrace it, cherish it, for it holds the key to eternal life.

3. Choosing Life in Christ:
So, here we stand at the crossroads, faced with a choice that echoes through eternity. Will we cling to the fleeting pleasures of sin, or will we grasp the eternal promise of life in Christ? It's a daily decision, my friends, a moment-by-moment surrender to the

One who offers true life. Let's choose to walk in the light, to live in the freedom of grace, to embrace the abundant life Christ offers. For in Him, we find not just existence but true life, overflowing with purpose, joy, and peace.

Now, let's bring it home, shall we? What does this truth mean for our Monday mornings and Saturday nights? It means living with intentionality, with an awareness of the gravity of our choices. It means seeking forgiveness when we stumble, extending grace to others, and walking in the freedom of Christ's love. It means living as people of hope, sharing the good news of salvation with a world desperate for a lifeline. It means choosing life in every moment, in every decision, for the glory of our Savior.

1. John 10:10 – "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
2. 1 John 5:11 – "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."
3. John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Let's choose life, dear friends. Let's embrace the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.