Florida, exclusively on Interstate 95 dic-
tates a drive through New Jersey. It does
not matter if a person loves or hates New
residence in it. It is impossible to stay on that route
and not go through the Garden State.
whether or not a person likes
or loathes the results. Romans
6:23 clearly states two
of these inevitable
destinations: "For
the wages of sin is
death, but the free
gift of God is eter-
nal life through Christ
Jesus our Lord."
citizens of Rome the nature
of life with and without God.
the military, his compensation for subjecting himself
to military discipline, marching across the Roman
Empire, eking out an existence in the desert or in a
choking wilderness, rushing into battle at the word of
his commander. For this kind of service, the soldier
was owed and guaranteed payment. Under Roman
law, it could not be taken away or diverted. It was his.
every effort for a payment, a wage. As the soldier
marches steadfastly into battle, so the sinner moves
resolutely for the payment that comes as a result of
his decision. Death. It can be nothing else. This is
not physical death but spiritual death -- the eternal
separation of a soul from God. The course of sin is a
betrayal of God and His intention for that person. It
represents a pitched battle of self against God. It may
the heart is in rebellion nonetheless. Without a
full surrender, that battle can end only one way.
rhosis of the liver. The previous behavior led to these
results. Other behaviors don't necessarily manifest
themselves as clearly, but the results are the same.
Like the plaque that coats the veins and arteries, the
an emperor to share gifts
when he celebrated his
military victory or upon
kindness and generosity of God toward those en-
listed in His service.
and then driving with all that cash to the seashore. As
you stand and take in the grandeur of the ocean you
decide you want to "own" the ocean. Not beachfront
property, not the sandy bottom but the ocean itself.
Although you might take all your money and throw it
into the ocean to pay the price, you would still not own
one more drop than you did before squandering your
wealth. If you tried to drain it and put it somewhere
else you would find out quickly how impossible is the
task. If you went to some government authority to ne-
gotiate the price of the ocean, you would find that they