What happens after we receive God's saving grace in this life?
After receiving God's saving grace in this life, it does not stop at the grave. It takes the believer right on into everlasting life—an eternal abiding with God Himself. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, contrasted with sin's wages of death and eternal doom.
Les explains 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. Paul burned himself out for this, setting an example as a human just like us, and he suffered privations for the sake of the gospel beyond what we can imagine. Then in verse 23, Les contrasts the wages of sin—old Adam's payment—which is death, the second death, eternal doom, with the opposite Adam, where the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Les highlights the key word 'gift,' noting that as soon as you contribute something to the cost of that gift, it is no longer a gift.