What does Romans 6:23 mean to you? How do you view this verse?

The verse (and context) is actually deceptive in its meaning. Deceptive -- not from the standpoint of error, mind you, but it can fool the worldly mind into thinking there is one meaning; when the spiritually-minded understand that there is another meaning.

Like the guy who said:

>> No matter what life you lived , we are destined to die.

It can seem it is as simple as that statement, but if you examine it with a spiritual mind it might seem that the person making such a statement doesn't really know what the Bible is talking about.

>> Jesus proved with the resurrection that death is an illusion.

This guy REALLY seams not to get it -- but, from a spiritual standpoint, one can see how such a statement can be applied.

>> by living a sinful life you are condeming yourself to an

>> eternity of torment in hell

This guy, of course, has bought completely into the devil's character assassination plot -- hook, line, and clinker.

So, how about some answers...

Rom. 6:20 When you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.

Meaning, as an unrepentant sinner, you are free from being accountable for your unrighteous actions. You don't have to consider each and everything you see, hear, taste, touch, smell, say, and do from the standpoint of the Example of Jesus.

Rom. 6:21 What did you gain from doing the things that you are now ashamed of ? The result of those things is death!

There's that word "death." It can't mean the normal kind of death that even the righteous experience if they're unlucky enough to not live at the end of time. There MUST be a different meaning.

Rom. 6:22 But now you have been set free from sin and are the slaves of God. Your gain is a life fully dedicated to him, and the result is eternal life.

The man of the world won't like that first statement. This is where the devil steps in and says, particularly to the Evolutionist, "Why should you believe anything concerning a thing which cannot be scientifically measured?" But, this also illustrates a good point -- no matter what we do in this life, we are a slave to something. Which master would you rather serve? For some reason, Evolutionists don't respond well to this kind of an appeal. ;-)

Rom. 6:23 For sin pays its wage---death; but God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, we're back to that word -- "death." Oh man, of the world, what you often miss is that there are two different kinds (forms) of "death" -- just as there are two different resurrections at the end of time. There is the death unto Judgment (Hebrews 9:27), and there is the death that goes on for eternity (Revelation 20:7-15).

But, it doesn't end there. For everything there is both the type and the anti-type -- the thesis and the antithesis. So, there is the life up to the Judgment, and there is the Life that goes on for eternity.

So, you see, there is no such place as "hell" and there is no such thing as the unrighteous living forever in torment -- for that wouldn't be paying the wages of sin. The wages of sin is eternal death -- ultimate and final destruction. Why would the sinner choose that death over eternal life?

Ezek. 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin and so shall they not be a stumbling block to you. [Matt. 3:2; Rev. 2:5.]

Ezek. 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions by which you have transgressed against Me, and make you a new mind and heart and a new spirit. For why will you die, O house of Israel? [Eph. 4:22, 23.]

Ezek. 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn (be converted) and live!

sin is death, then one must ask ( what is sin )

1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

so sin is the transgression of the law, ( then one must ask ( what is the law )

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

did not come to destroy the law or prophets. that gives a hint on where the law is found.

Deu 5:29 O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!

so the law is Gods commandments, and forever could mean eternal.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

sounds good to me, i will like to have some of that tree of life, and have eternal life, oh yea!!

so lets keep the commandments of God and get some.

Everybody is talking about spirituality today. People think that if they get in touch with their heart, all of their problems will be solved. However, apart from God, we have a tendency to make a huge mess out of our lives. The result of this is spiritual death, anxiety, and despair.Our attitude of self-sufficiency needs to be replaced by a dependency on God.

Christians believe that the way to God is a personal belief in Jesus Christ. Wallowing in guilt and shame, magical thinking, and motivational talks are not enough.Claiming God's promise of eternal life brings forgiveness, healing, and an inside out transformation of a person's entire life.

Put simply, death is the penalty that all humans have to pay for their sins. However, because of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, that's the reason why God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for the sins of His people. It is because of His death on the cross, shedding His blood for sin, that we can have everlasting life with Christ when we profess Christ as our Lord and Savior - I have already done that, so I know that I have everlasting life already when I leave this world. I still sin like everyone else, but my sins (as are all Christians' sins) are forgiven - past, present and future. I know truly in my heart that I do not deserve to go to heaven - I deserve to be eternally punished in hell for my sin, but because Christ is bountiful in mercy and grace, that is why I'm heaven-bound - :)

The preceding verses show us the context is about not letting our freedom be a cause of stumbling to others. Jesus set a good example in this regard. For example he was willing to pay temple tax even though, as the son of the Great King Jehovah, he was not obligated to. (Matthew 17:24-27) Christians should have the same mental attitude - being willing to forego certain rights/freedoms so as not to stumble others.

It means that if we want to be with God we had better learn how He defines sin and, with His help, get ourselves as far from it as we can. Any other definition of sin than the one God has set forth in the Torah just isn't going to cut it.

No matter what life you lived , we are destined to die . The gift of eternal life is through the blood of Jesus to any who accept him.

Because ive sinned i deserve to go to hell but THANK GOD he died for my sins and conquered them , I have accepted that free gift now i have ETERNAL life yippeeeeeeeeeee

it seems pretty straight forward to me. by living a sinful life you are condeming yourself to an eternity of torment in hell, and only by accepting Jesus Christ can you attain salvation.

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.