Death has always been a part of the human experience. As far back as the early days of creation in the Garden of Eden, death has been the consequence of sin. God warned Adam and Eve that if they disobeyed the single commandment given them they would "surely die." Their offspring were destined to experience the same result of sin: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).
But what is death; what kind of death are we talking about? Death is nothing more nor less than a separation. When our soul and spirit are separated from our body, our body is dead. Likewise, when our soul and spirit are separated from God, we are spiritually dead. The very day in which Adam and Eve sinned, they died spiritually; they were separated from God, though they lived some 600 years before dying physically. A sinners, we, too, are spiritually dead, though very much alive physically.
We, their offspring, have also received ample warning of pending judgment. Since we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), we should fearfully consider the warning of Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; . . Wages are something earn and deserve. We deserve to die.
But what you receive without working for it is a gift. The final clause of Romans 6:23 says ". . . but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." What did Jesus do to provide that gift of life? He took our death penalty, died for us, that God could be justified in forgiving us. Read it for yourself in I Corinthians 15:3, 4, ". . . Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
What must you do to receive that gift of life? Simply trust the God Who offers it and receive the Savior Who paid for it, Jesus Christ. God tells us in John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." By receiving Jesus Christ by faith, God counts your death penalty paid, you are given eternal life as God promised, and you are free from the penalty of sin.
In the case of every human being, somebody has to die for sins committed. You are no exception. Somebody has to die for what you have done in sinning against God. Either you will be separated from God for eternity or you will accept Christ as your Savior and His death will be counted as yours. Which will it be? Will you acknowledge yourself a sinner and receive Christ, or will you die in your sins. The choice is yours. Make the right one today.