Death or Life? | Romans 6:20–23

From beginning to end, the Bible presents two paths, one leading to death and one to life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). It is only in Christ Jesus that a person finds life, and the evidence that a person is in Christ is their spiritual “fruit.” What fruit are you producing, and what does it say about the path you are on? “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13–14).

Take-Home Message: You are either on the path leading to death or the path leading to life.

• The path leading to death (20–21).

• Believers, Unbelievers, and Shame:
• Believers are not ashamed of Jesus.
• Believers are ashamed of past sins.
• Unbelievers take pride in what is shameful.
• Believers and unbelievers have historically held opposing views of what is shameful.
• In the end, believers will be vindicated, and unbelievers will be put to shame.

• The path leading to life (22–23).

• Roadblocks to Good Fruit:
• “I don’t know the Bible.”
• “I don’t know how to put it into practice.”
• “I don’t want to put it into practice.”