Articles
Sin and the Savior (Part 2 of 3)
Sin and the Savior (Part 2 of 3)
Mankind is desperately in need of a Savior. In the last article I explained the universal problem of sin and the major categories of sin. In today’s article, we will consider two more aspects of sin: choice and punishment.
SIN IS NOT INHERITED
Many in the religious world teach that sin is inherited, that is, that all humanity is born with the guilt of the sin of Adam. This doctrine is false for at least three reasons:
- Babies cannot transgress God’s law. Since “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4), it is impossible for infants to sin. They cannot even understand God’s law, much less choose to break it. Babies are completely innocent and sinless.
- The Bible plainly says that sin is not inherited. In Ezekiel 18:20 God said, “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity. . . . The person who sins will die.”
- Sin is always a choice. Romans 5:12 states that “…death spread to all men, because all sinned.” It doesn’t say that death spread to all men, because all were born in sin, but “because all sinned.” The fact is, every one of us has chosen to do exactly what Adam did: rebel against the will of God. That’s why the price of death hangs over all of our heads (Rom. 6:23).
PUNISHMENT FOR SIN
Some live as if there are no consequences for sin. The reality is, the consequences of sin are severe beyond comprehension. Consider three aspects of sin’s punishment:
- Physical consequences. Proverbs 12:21 says, “No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.” Those who carefully follows God’s word will lead a happy and rewarding life, free from the immediate “physical” consequences of their own sin. On the other hand, those who reject God’s wisdom will lead a life filled with regret, pain and despair.
- Separation from God in this life. God turns his face away from those who are living habitually in sin (Isa. 59:1-2). This separation is in the present. These individuals are the walking dead, alive in body but dead in spirit. If they die in such a state they will be lost eternally.
- Separation from God in the next life. This is the “eternal destruction” in the fires of hell, banishment from the Lord’s presence and glory forever (2 Thess. 1:7-9). This punishment is absolute and permanent. In hell no measure of God’s grace, no second chances, no forgiveness will be extended whatsoever.
In view these dreadful consequences, we should learn to abhor sin (Rom. 12:9) and to flee from it (1 Tim. 6:11). We must not treat sin lightly. Jesus didn’t. In the next and final article of this series we will discuss how Jesus solved the problem of sin once and for all.
