“LIFE IS A MARATHON “ (archived)
By: Rev. Philip K. Cooper, August 2006

As I read the news on July 5th of the sudden death of Kenneth Lay, immediately this word of God came to me: “The wages of sin is death”. (Romans 6:23)

If you don’t already know, Kenneth Lay, the founder and CEO of Enron was convicted by a jury of fraud, conspiracy, theft and other felonious charges in the bankruptcy of Enron brought on by illegal manipulation of hundreds of millions of dollars of the company’s finances. Fact: What he did in conspiracy with others cost many thousands of people virtually all their savings and/or retirement funds. And apparently he didn’t care about them since he denied any wrongdoing.

According to news reports, Lay faced life in prison. There has been much speculation as to how he may have died, including the possibility of suicide. It really doesn’t matter.

Let me make clear that I am not judging him. The jury judged him. But even more importantly, God certainly judged him as God will judge the actions or inactions of each of us. In Romans 14:10 and II Corinthians 5:10 we are told by God “that we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” This is not the great white throne of judgment for the lost.

The word of God is still true. God never changes. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. It is because of this promise that we who receive His Son Jesus can trust in His word, all of our lives and into eternity.
In the last analysis, each of us must examine our own heart, our own actions, our own obedience or disobedience to God’s instructions for our lives in Scripture. And all of us had better remember God’s word which is still in effect: “The wages of sin is death”. (Romans 6:23)

And we must not forget the rest of that verse: “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Your sins committed prior to the moment you trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior are separated at that moment from the memory of God. (Hebrews 8:12 & 10:17)

And remember the rest of II Cor. 5:10 as written to the follower of Christ: “that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”