Denise Day Spencer

Here’s yet another in my series of object lessons based on the doctrinal summaries in the Disciple’s Study Bible.

SCRIPTURES: John 8:34, Romans 6:23

OBJECT: toy handcuffs or a heavy chain

We talked last time about sin. We learned that sin can be breaking God’s law. It can also be missing His target; falling short of His goals for us. Today we need to ask, “So what? What happens when I sin? Why is it so serious?”

It is serious, for several reasons. For one thing, all sin separates us from God. Do you remember the story of Adam and Eve? They had been so close to God until they sinned. Then they hid from God, and things were never the same after that.

Sin always has consequences. That means when we sin, something will happen as a result. If I tell a lie about you, it’s going to hurt you, isn’t it? And if you find out what I’ve done, you’re not going to like me very much, are you? Even if I apologize and you forgive me, you may never want to trust me again. That would be a consequence of my sin against you.

The Bible teaches that sin makes us its slave. Jesus once said, “…everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Look at these handcuffs [or this chain]. Sin binds us and makes us its prisoner. That’s why we need Jesus to set us free.

If we don’t trust Jesus to set free us, sin will finally kill us. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death…” That means when we live a life of sin, our reward, our paycheck, is spiritual death. When we die without Christ’s forgiveness, we are separated from Him forever.

But let’s finish that verse: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Only Jesus can unlock the handcuffs [or break the chains] of sin and set us free.