What happens after death to believers who enjoy God's saving grace in this life?
For those who enjoy God's saving grace in this life, death does not end their hope; it carries them beyond the grave into everlasting life and eternal abiding with God Himself. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, not earned by human contribution.
Les teaches that enjoying the saving grace of God in this life is one thing, but it will not stop at the grave. It will take the believer right on into everlasting life, that eternal abiding with God Himself. This is what Paul burned himself out for. Paul was just as human as we are, yet he suffered privations for the sake of the gospel beyond what we can imagine. In verse 23, the wages of sin—old Adam—is death, the second death, eternal doom. But the opposite Adam brings the gift of God: eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Les emphasizes the key word “gift.” We all like to receive a gift, but as soon as you contribute something to its cost, it is no longer a gift.