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For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23, LSB

Sin is an addiction. God doesn’t cause it, but God is the only means of escape. In Christ, we receive the gift that washes us over and removes the consequences of our sin. God does not cause us to sin, nor will He tempt us to sin. Like any addiction, the problem of sin is that the object or action that is sinful becomes the idol. As an idol, sin fills a desire that neither brings life nor keeps any promises. There is no grace in sin. In our Lord, Jesus Christ, we find a gift, given to us graciously, that removes the consequence of eternal death. This gift removes judgment. It does not remove guilt nor does it excuse sin, but our Lord forgives us of sin and gives us life. The life offered is beneficial in our lives now, but are for us eternally. It is this eternal life, which frees us from the second death that will be faced at judgment and brings us into our Lord’s kingdom. Our Lord has taken upon Himself our judgment and has opened the door for us to eternally live in His peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.