2. We must realize that there is a penalty for our sin.
“For the wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23a
When you break a law, there is a punishment or payment that is due. Because we have sinned and broken God’s law, that sin must be paid for and the payment is death. In the Bible, there are two types of death: First, there is a physical death. We do not know when we will die. All we can do is prepare for it. Second, there is a spiritual death. This is when a soul dies unforgiven and has to pay for his or her sin in a place called Hell. Hell was not created for people, but for the devil and his demons. God does not want anyone to go to Hell, so He made a way for us to escape what we rightly deserve because of our sin.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
The verse above tells us that God gave us a gift. A gift is not something you earn; it is something you receive for free. God sent His Son Jesus as a free gift to us so that we could receive Him and one day live in Heaven with Him forever. We do not receive forgiveness of our sins and a place in Heaven through baptism, church attendance, or good deeds. It only comes through receiving Jesus by faith once for all as a gift. Yes, Jesus did die for everyone, but not everyone is going to Heaven – only those who receive Him as their Savior. We either accept Jesus or reject Jesus. There is no in between.