Sin: Part 3

This is part 3 of 3 of the series on sin that I taught to the youth at my church. Read part 1 here. Read part 2 here.

Sin.

Part 3. How Does Sin Affect The Human Race?

Sin affects the Human race in many ways, but can be divided into two major categories; consequences in life, and punishment.

Consequences in Life.

1. Original Sin

The consequences of sin in this life include original sin. Original sin can be further separated into the categories of original guilt, and original pollution.

Original guilt is the doctrine that teaches that Adam’s sin was imputed to his descendants, and therefore every descendant of Adam has the guilt of that sin to bear. We can see, biblically, that death is the punishment for sin, and that punishment is passed from Adam to all of his descendants. See Rom. 5:12-19; Eph. 2:3; 1 Cor. 15:22.

Original pollution teaches that “original sin is not merely negative; it is also an inherent positive disposition toward sin”. (LB) Original pollution is well expressed by the doctrines of total depravity, and total inability.

Total depravity is not the idea that men are as depraved as they possibly could be, or that they have no God-given conscience, but rather that every part of man’s nature is corrupt. This doctrine teaches that there is no spiritual good in relation to God, in the sinner, only perversion.

Total inability is not the idea that man cannot perform good in any sense of the word. He is able to do external religious good, civil good, and natural good, but “these same actions and feelings, when considered in relation to God, are radically defective. Their fatal defect is that they are not prompted by love to God, or by any regard for the will of God as requiring them.”. (LB) The unregenerate man can do nothing that is pleasing to God, including changing his own propensity for wickedness. In the words of Paul, “those who are in the flesh, cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8) See also: John 6:44; 8:34; 15:4,5; Rom. 7:18,24; 8:7,8; 1 Cor. 2:14; Heb 11:6

2. Free Will.

In any discussion of inability, depravity, pollution, and original sin, inevitably the question of free will is going to come up.
It cannot be stated strongly enough that man does have free will. The freedom to choose whatsoever a person wants is integral to being a responsible, moral creature, however, we cannot overlook the profound influence of sin on the human will. Natural man will not ever want God. He will not seek after God (Rom. 3:11), and cannot even understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). Unless the nature of man is radically changed by God himself, the free choice of man will always ultimately be, hatred of God, His righteousness, and His people. We must never blame God for the pitiable state in which we find ourselves. Berkhof says “We should not forget that the inability under consideration is self-imposed, has a moral origin, and is not due to any limitation which God has put on man’s being. Man is unable as a result of the perverted choice made in Adam.” (LB)

Punishment.

God punishes lawbreakers. Unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me. These statements are the most horrifying words that an unbeliever can hear, and yet they are absolutely true. God must punish lawbreakers in order to be just, and unless your sins have been paid for in Christ, you will be punished for them.

God has prescribed actual penalties for violation of His law, and these penalties can be separated into four major categories: spiritual death; suffering; physical death; and eternal death.

1.Spiritual Death.

St. Augustine said that sin was punishment for sin. That is a profound statement, and also biblical. Romans chapter 1 is a strong supporter of the idea that sin is a judgement on the sinner who hardens his heart and suppresses the truth in unrighteousness. Paul describes man as “dead in sins” (Eph. 2), and makes it clear that, spiritually speaking, man is blind to the things of God. (1 Cor. 2:14) It is a safe conclusion to arrive at, that God has given sinful men over to their sinful ways, resulting in spiritual death, and inability.

2.Suffering

Suffering is present every minute of every day in this fallen world. People suffer from disease, natural disasters, accidents, and countless other means of death, destruction and general uncomfortableness. Jesus gave us a simple way to view the seemingly random suffering of the world in Luke 13:2-5.

3.Physical Death

“...you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19). Separation of body and soul is the inevitable result of sin. Everyone will die, and stand before their maker. Paul sums this idea up nicely in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

4.Eternal Death.

"And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." (Rev. 14:11) At the last judgement, the full weight of the wrath of God will fall on the condemned. The result of this horrific judgement is eternal, conscious, torment in hell, with no hope of pardon or escape. Eternal death, when combined with suffering and physical death is the completion of spiritual death. On this awful day, God will be glorified, and all creation will praise Him, for His perfect judgement, righteousness, holiness, and mercy towards us in Christ.