"Its End is Death"

[Romans 6:19-21]

Romans 6 begins with "sin" (v. 1) and ends with "sin" (v. 23). It begins with "grace" (v. 1) and ends with "gift" (grace) (v. 23). Romans 6 is a chapter where sin abounds, but grace abounds even more (5:20). Let us look at Romans 6:19-21: "I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death."

Let's meditate on the last part of Romans 6 (19-21) in three parts: (1) "Its end is death," (2) the end is eternal life, (3) "The gift of God."

First, the statement "Its end is death" (Romans 6:21).

Who are the ones whose end is death? Those who are slaves of sin (v. 20). Today, as we listen to the final part of Romans 6, we earnestly pray for those who are still slaves to sin, that they may escape that bondage. The end of being a slave to sin is death.

1. A slave to sin gives their members to impurity and lawlessness.

Let’s look at Romans 6:19: "I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, leading to more lawlessness..." [(Modern translation) "Since your nature is weak, I explain this in simple terms. You once presented your bodies as slaves to sin, to do what is impure and lawless..."].

Here, "members" refers to our body parts (for example, eyes, nose, mouth, feet, hands, etc.). "Members" can also refer more broadly to what we possess, such as our time and resources. In the Book of Psalms (1-150), the psalmist speaks often about the human body and members. He consistently gave all his members to what is good and just. However, the wicked gave their members to iniquity (although this is less frequently mentioned by the psalmist).

Let’s look at Psalm 140:2-3: "They make their tongues sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the poison of vipers." The wicked (v. 1) plotted evil in their hearts (v. 2). They sharpened their tongues like the tongue of a serpent, and their lips contained the venom of vipers (v. 3).

Also, see Psalm 140:9: "When those who surround me lift up their heads, may the misfortune of their lips overwhelm them." The wicked who surrounded the psalmist cursed him with their lips as they lifted their heads. In contrast, the righteous lift their heads to praise and worship God and thank Him.

(2) The life of a slave to sin is freedom from righteousness.

Look at Romans 6:20: "For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness." [(Modern translation) "When you were slaves to sin, you had nothing to do with righteousness."]. In other words, a slave to sin acts freely in regard to righteousness, but their heart is impure, full of sin, and from such a sinful heart, they commit sin at will. For example, a slave to sin disobeys God's Word, does not act righteously, and instead does evil. They disobey God's command to love one another and instead hate each other.

(3) A slave to sin bears shameful fruit.

Look at Romans 6:21: "What fruit did you get at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death..." Here, "at that time" (v. 21) refers to when we were slaves to sin (v. 20). When we were slaves to sin, we did not even realize that we were in darkness and unaware of our shame. Moreover, we thought that doing evil was glorifying God while committing sins.

Consider Philippians 3:19: "Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame, with minds set on earthly things." [(Modern translation) "Their end is destruction. They set their minds on the desires of the flesh, and they glory in their shame, thinking only of earthly things."].

(4) The end of a slave to sin is death.

Look at Romans 6:21: "...For the end of those things is death." [(Modern translation) "...The result of such living is eternal death."] Here, "death" refers to physical death. And the ultimate result of physical death is eternal death. The reason the body dies is due to the wages of sin ["For the wages of sin is death..." (Rom 6:23)]. However, as slaves to righteousness in Christ, we, as Christians, do not die because of the wages of sin. This is because God has declared us righteous, and there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus.

Look at Romans 8:1-2: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

In Scripture, physical death is referred to as "sleeping."

Look at Acts 7:60: "Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep." Here, the Bible refers to the death of Stephen as "falling asleep."

Also, see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15: "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep."

Here, the Bible refers to those who are dead as "those who sleep" three times. As Christians, we do not die, but we "sleep." We will awaken one day, and that day will be when Jesus Christ returns (v. 15). In other words, the Lord will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first [those who have died in Christ will be resurrected first] (v. 16).

However, those who do not believe in Jesus, that is, the slaves of sin, die outside of Christ, and the result of their physical death (death) is the second death, which is eternal death. Look at Revelation 1:8: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Here, "the second death" refers to those who do not believe, who will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where they will not be consumed but will be eternally punished. This is the end!

We must think deeply about how terrible sin is and what its end will be! Originally, we were slaves of sin and were destined to receive the second death, eternal punishment in the lake of fire. However, by God's immense grace and love, we have been saved by believing in Jesus Christ and have received eternal life. We are no longer slaves of sin, but slaves of righteousness, and our final end is not death, but eternal life.

When we think of God's great grace and love, how can we not give all our thanks to God and offer praise, worship, and glory to Him? Until the last breath, until that moment, we must give thanks, praise, worship, and glory to God.