Choosing Your Master: Sin or God?

Devotional

Day 1: Allegiance Determines Destiny

The ultimate question in life is not about our moral actions but about who we serve: sin or God. This choice determines our spiritual allegiance and destiny. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that every soul is confronted with this choice, and there is no neutrality in the spiritual realm. Serving sin results in wages that lead to death, while serving God results in a free gift that leads to eternal life. This decision is the crux of the Christian Gospel, challenging us to examine our allegiance and the master we choose to serve. [15:10]

Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Reflection: What are some ways you can actively choose to serve God in your daily life, rather than being passive in your spiritual journey?

Day 2: The Gift of Eternal Life

Serving sin results in wages that lead to death, while serving God results in a free gift that leads to eternal life. This contrast highlights the difference between earning and receiving. The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of slavery to illustrate the stark differences between serving sin and serving God. While sin offers rations determined by the law, leading to death, God offers a free gift rooted in grace, leading to eternal life. This grace is the unmerited favor of God, a kindness shown to those who do not deserve it. [23:12]

Romans 6:23 (ESV): "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: How can you embrace the gift of eternal life today, and what does it mean for you to live in the freedom of God's grace?

Day 3: Eternal Life Begins Now

Eternal life is not just everlasting existence but a profound knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, resulting in holiness and glory. It is a life that begins now and will be fully realized in the future. The Apostle Paul explains that this eternal life is a life of glory, holiness, and perfection in the presence of God. It is through Jesus Christ that we are justified and joined to God, and this union is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory. [32:04]

John 17:3 (ESV): "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your knowledge of God and Jesus Christ today, and how does this impact your understanding of eternal life?

Day 4: Union with Christ

Our union with Christ is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory. It is through Him that we are justified and joined to God. The Apostle Paul underscores that all of this is made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we are justified and joined to Him. This union with Christ is the foundation of our spiritual journey, providing the strength and assurance needed for our sanctification and future glory. [41:09]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: How does your union with Christ influence your daily decisions and actions, and what steps can you take to strengthen this union?

Day 5: The Transforming Grace of God

The grace of God is the only explanation for why any of us are Christians. It is His unmerited favor and kindness that draws us to Him and transforms our lives. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that serving God results in a gift, which is unearned and undeserved, leading to eternal life. This grace is the unmerited favor of God, a kindness shown to those who do not deserve it, and it is through this grace that we are drawn to Him and transformed. [47:22]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific area of your life where you have experienced God's grace. How can you extend this grace to others in your community today?

Sermon Summary

In this message, we explore the profound contrast between two paths of life, as outlined by the Apostle Paul. These paths are defined by the masters we serve: sin or God. Every soul is confronted with this choice, and there is no neutrality in the spiritual realm. The Apostle emphasizes that the ultimate question is not about our moral actions or ethical standards, but rather, who is our master? This is the crux of the Christian Gospel, and it challenges us to examine our allegiance.

The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of slavery to illustrate the stark differences between serving sin and serving God. Serving sin results in wages, which are earned and deserved, leading ultimately to death. This death is not just physical but spiritual, culminating in the second death—a final and irreversible separation from God. On the other hand, serving God results in a gift, which is unearned and undeserved, leading to eternal life. This eternal life is not merely everlasting existence but a profound knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, resulting in unalterable holiness and imperishable glory.

The Apostle further explains that the conditions under which we serve these masters are entirely different. Sin offers rations, determined by the law, which leads to death. In contrast, God offers a free gift, rooted in grace, leading to eternal life. This grace is the unmerited favor of God, a kindness shown to those who do not deserve it.

Ultimately, the Apostle underscores that the end of these two paths is vastly different. The path of sin leads to death, while the path of God leads to eternal life. This eternal life is a life of glory, holiness, and perfection in the presence of God. It is a life that begins here and now but will be fully realized in the future.

The Apostle concludes by reminding us that all of this is made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is through His life, death, and resurrection that we are justified and joined to Him. This union with Christ is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory.

Key Takeaways

1. The ultimate question in life is not about our moral actions but about who we serve: sin or God. This choice determines our spiritual allegiance and destiny. [15:10]
2. Serving sin results in wages that lead to death, while serving God results in a free gift that leads to eternal life. This contrast highlights the difference between earning and receiving. [23:12]
3. Eternal life is not just everlasting existence but a profound knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, resulting in holiness and glory. It is a life that begins now and will be fully realized in the future. [32:04]
4. Our union with Christ is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory. It is through Him that we are justified and joined to God. [41:09]
5. The grace of God is the only explanation for why any of us are Christians. It is His unmerited favor and kindness that draws us to Him and transforms our lives. [47:22]
** [47:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:54] - The Two Paths
[12:23] - The End of Each Path
[13:13] - The Masters We Serve
[14:29] - The Essential Question
[15:29] - The Fight for the Gospel
[16:13] - False Apostles
[17:48] - Judging by the Right Standard
[19:17] - The Conditions of Service
[20:46] - The Law and Sin
[22:23] - The Just Recompense
[23:32] - The Gift of God
[25:49] - The Different Ends
[28:00] - The Wages of Sin
[31:31] - Eternal Life Defined
[35:02] - The Fullness of Eternal Life
[39:02] - Through Jesus Christ Our Lord
[42:28] - God's Purpose for Glory
[44:39] - The Misunderstanding of the Gospel
[47:22] - The Grace of God

Sermon Clips

The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of slavery to illustrate the stark differences between serving sin and serving God. Serving sin results in wages, which are earned and deserved, leading ultimately to death. This death is not just physical but spiritual, culminating in the second death—a final and irreversible separation from God. [00:28:00]

The ultimate question in life is not about our moral actions but about who we serve: sin or God. This choice determines our spiritual allegiance and destiny. The Apostle emphasizes that the ultimate question is not about our moral actions or ethical standards, but rather, who is our master? [00:14:29]

The grace of God is the only explanation for why any of us are Christians. It is His unmerited favor and kindness that draws us to Him and transforms our lives. This grace is the unmerited favor of God, a kindness shown to those who do not deserve it. [00:47:22]

Eternal life is not just everlasting existence but a profound knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, resulting in holiness and glory. It is a life that begins now and will be fully realized in the future. This eternal life is a life of glory, holiness, and perfection in the presence of God. [00:32:04]

Our union with Christ is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory. It is through Him that we are justified and joined to God. This union with Christ is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory. [00:41:09]

The Apostle further explains that the conditions under which we serve these masters are entirely different. Sin offers rations, determined by the law, which leads to death. In contrast, God offers a free gift, rooted in grace, leading to eternal life. [00:19:17]

The path of sin leads to death, while the path of God leads to eternal life. This eternal life is a life of glory, holiness, and perfection in the presence of God. It is a life that begins here and now but will be fully realized in the future. [00:22:23]

The Apostle concludes by reminding us that all of this is made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is through His life, death, and resurrection that we are justified and joined to Him. This union with Christ is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory. [00:39:02]

The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of slavery to illustrate the stark differences between serving sin and serving God. Serving sin results in wages, which are earned and deserved, leading ultimately to death. This death is not just physical but spiritual, culminating in the second death—a final and irreversible separation from God. [00:28:00]

The grace of God is the only explanation for why any of us are Christians. It is His unmerited favor and kindness that draws us to Him and transforms our lives. This grace is the unmerited favor of God, a kindness shown to those who do not deserve it. [00:47:22]

Eternal life is not just everlasting existence but a profound knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, resulting in holiness and glory. It is a life that begins now and will be fully realized in the future. This eternal life is a life of glory, holiness, and perfection in the presence of God. [00:32:04]

Our union with Christ is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory. It is through Him that we are justified and joined to God. This union with Christ is the source of our sanctification and the assurance of our future glory. [00:41:09]

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