Eternal Life—The Gift of God

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
 
"In a ghoulish showcase at the London Museum this summer," states a recent news report, "are the yellowed plaster casts of the heads of five men who were hanged on the public gallows in 18th century England."
They had been brought from the vaults of Scotland Yard for a major exhibition to mark the 150th anniversary of London's famed metropolitan police.
In the 1700's, visitors were told, about 200 offenses were on the statute books which drew the penalty of death by hanging. They ranged from treason and murder to sheep-stealing and shop-lifting.
But since then the laws have changed drastically. In 1970 the death penalty in Britain was abolished in all cases except for certain crimes against the state.
Man-made laws are subject to change from generation to generation and from year to year. Divine laws remain inviolate; they never change.
"The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23.
"And so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12. The wages of sin have never been reduced.
In 1979 there was a public outcry against the death penalty imposed upon a convicted murderer in Florida. However, there was no report of anyone offering to take the condemned man's place in the electric chair. But the essence of God's glorious gospel is that "Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.
Lost, guilty, condemned sinner, will you not accept God's verdict and receive the pardon which He has wrought for you through the death of His Son at Calvary's cross? God now accepts the death of His Son in place of the sinner's death. This full and free salvation is for "whosoever will believe." It is offered to you on the principle of faith and faith alone. Believe it; receive it now.