At this point in our study we have covered:
- The origin of sin
- What sin is
- How sin entered the world
We now will reckon what follows 1,2, and 3 – the results of sin. The very fruit of sin is death!
The wages of sin is death.
As a result of man’s sin, there are actually three deaths! It is essential that we realize that death does not annihilate , as the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe; it only separates. Man was created with a soul that lives forever. . .
In the Garden of Eden, Adam’s sin separated mankind from God spiritually; this is spiritual death.
In natural death, sin separates the spirit and the soul from the body. This is the death that everyone is aware of – physical death.
The final death separates man from the mercy of God forever; this is eternal death.
The wages of sin is spiritual death. In the same way that sin separated man from God spiritually and drove him from the presence of God at the Garden of Eden; so does sin separate us from God. Isa. 59: 1,2 – Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. The only way back to God is to confess your sins to Him. 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The wages of sin is physical death. All physical death is of sin. Yes – even the deaths of children. Death had no claim on mankind until man sinned -now ALL die, because all are in sin. Death is also universal, because we have a universal effect, we therefore must have a universal cause – UNIVERSAL SIN. This cause and effect will continue until Jesus Christ destroys sin and death. 1 Cor. 15:16 – The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Cor.: – 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The wages of sin is eternal death. Ezek. 18:20 – The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. This is eternal separation from the love of God. Rev. 20:14 – And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Once the soul passes beyond the portal of hell he is lost and lost forever. There is no hope in the Mormon “Baptism of the dead,” nor in the candles and intercessory prayers for the souls of the dead of the Roman Catholics. The lost will continue to exist! But this existence is without hope – being damned, and damned to eternal separation from God. Luke 16: 19-31 –
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Eternal separation from the Love of God, is such a bleak, terrifying, and dreadful thing, that we must ask – how can we ever refrain from sharing the Gospel? Can we honestly say that we care about other people – and not make every attempt to save them from that future? Is that not the single most important thing in the entire world? More important than the evil enterprises of corrupt elites? More important then who is nominated for Academy Awards? More important than our comfort zone, our pride, and our sluggishness? More important than anything?
After reading this, please make a list of all the unsaved people in your orbit. It will be distressing, but needs vigilant attention.
The Vine Vigil 