Roman Road Doctrinal Point #2: The consequence of our sin is a death sentence. Death in this life and separation from God in the next.
Years ago Disney turned out an animated film that was a giant hit--"The Lion King." One of the songs from the movie that caught on was "Circle of Life," sung by Elton John. In the movie, the animals celebrated the circle of life--the birth of baby animals--the coming of spring--the dawn of a new day... But, the focus of the song was only on the front end, where the new life was happening. Come to think about it, the circle of life is not an actual circle; that would be wishful thinking. Life--all life birthed on planet earth comes to an end called death. This is like "Going directly to jail without passing Go or collecting $200.
We rejoice when a baby is born into our family, and we cry when someone in our family passes from this world, because we know that we will never see them again in this life. The Bible tells us: "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned..." Romans 5:12 (NKJV) If we need proof of our need of God, we do not have to look any further than the specter of death that looms on the fringes of our consciousness. The finality, inescapably and inevitability of death is a constant reminder that our planet, though teaming with life, is under a curse. It is the curse of sin and the consequences of the curse is death.
Death does not need to be the end. For those who turn to God, death can be the door that takes us from this life into the next. The Apostle Paul called the life on the other side of death, "Eternal Life." Which means a life that has no end. Disney missed it when they called what is happening here on planet earth, the circle of life; but, for those who put their trust in Jesus, eternal life is waiting...an unbroken circle...a true circle of life.
Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, You are my future hope. I know that this life will come to an abrupt end...I have lived long enough to know that my death and the death of those that I love is inevitable. But, I know that Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave. I know that the sting of death is now of no consequence, because You have granted eternal life to all who put their trust in You. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen"
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