The benefit of sin

Scripture Read: Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Application: Benefit - καρπός karpós - Fruit or produce,

Ashamed - ἐπαισχύνομαι epaischúnomai; to be ashamed. To bring shame upon oneself, to be ashamed of,^[1]

What does ashamed mean? Guilt, disgrace, feeling inferior or unworthy – Here’s the $64,000 question! What is the Benefit “fruit”? The outcome which equals - sin – notice the words: Guilt, - a constant remorse; Disgrace – a loss of credibility, Feeling inferior – a loss of esteem, Unworthy – no connection.

When we consider the outcome (fruit) of sin, it is poison to our relationship with God. This can cause us to feel constant regret and remorse, like we are not a child of His, no sense of our creation and no relationship with Him except of fear and regret! It is clear that this verse is speaking of before salvation – yet it can still resonate with a child of God when they consider how they feel when they sin willfully. It is not worth it – the momentary pleasures of this world are not worth this. We need to be more mindful of what the REAL outcome is – not what our flesh thinks it will be. Sure our flesh will enjoy, but the rest of who we are will suffer later. Thanks for Your wisdom oh God!   

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Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.