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.
Sermon Q&A
What is the Difference Between the Wages of Sin and the Gift of God According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in his sermon on Romans 6:23, explains the stark contrast between "the wages of sin is death" and "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Let's explore his insights on this pivotal verse.
What are the three main contrasts Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies in Romans 6:23?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies three fundamental contrasts in this verse:
- The masters we serve: "It's either sin or God" - with no middle ground or neutrality
- The terms of service: Wages/rations versus a free gift
- The ends to which each leads: Death versus eternal life
As he explains, "Each one of these two leads inevitably and by an inexorable law to ends which are quite inevitable. Start on the one road and you're bound to arrive at a given destination."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "the wages of sin is death"?
According to Lloyd-Jones, "wages" would be better translated as "rations" - what soldiers or slaves received for their service in ancient Rome. This represents something:
- Earned and deserved
- Determined by law
- The just recompense for disobedience
The "death" mentioned isn't just physical death but primarily refers to what Revelation calls "the second death" - "a final and irreversible separation from God and from the face of God and from the life of God." It means being "eternally outside God's life with all the consequent misery and all the consequent suffering."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about "eternal life" as God's gift?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that eternal life is not merely everlasting existence but primarily means "knowledge of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." Citing John 17:3, he explains it involves:
- Perfect knowledge of God
- "Unalterable and spotless holiness"
- "Imperishable glory"
- Being completely like Christ
- Receiving "a crown of righteousness"
He stresses that this gift "is all in and through Jesus Christ our Lord" - never separating the gift from the giver.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say this verse refutes the charge that justification by faith leads to sinning?
Lloyd-Jones argues that this verse completely refutes the accusation that teaching justification by faith encourages sin. He calls such a notion "monstrous" and "irrational" because:
- The entire purpose of salvation is to bring us to holiness and glory
- Christ, to whom believers are joined, is "the exact opposite of sin"
- The ends (death versus eternal life) show the complete incompatibility of sin with God's purpose
He states: "How can such a program, such a purpose in such a way, ever be any sort of encouragement to sin?"
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the reason some people reject this gospel?
Lloyd-Jones concludes that those who reject the gospel despite its obvious benefits must be "spiritually dead." He explains:
"Such people are slaves of Satan. They have been blinded by the God of this world. Can there be any other explanation? As you look at the two types of life in every respect... and see people rejecting the glory and deliberately choosing the other and bursting of it and gloating in it."
By contrast, he attributes salvation entirely to God's grace: "What makes any man a Christian? Oh. Tis grace. Tis wondrous grace... It is all God's infinite kindness and compassion."
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.