THE DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF SIN
The outline for the following study titled “The Character
And Nature Of Sin” is taken in its entirety from “Landmarks
Of Baptist Doctrine”; Book III, pages 435-442, by Pastor
Robert J. Sargent; Bible Baptist Publications; 1219 North
Harns Road; Oak Harbor, Washington 98277. We have used their
Bible Institute material for decades now and highly
recommend it for training men for the ministry. It also
makes for outstanding Sunday School material.
Sin is a fact that cannot honestly be denied. Apart from the
abundant testimony of the Word of God, the effects of sin in
the world are increasingly evident, as all too often
personal experience confirms.
The heinous nature of sin is no more clearly demonstrated
than in the wrath of God and His hatred toward it. God hates
sin because it is all that He is not. The cry of our Saviour
from the cross (Matthew 27:46) is answered by Habakkuk 1:13.
Matthew 27:46 and Habakkuk 1:13 state this:
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud
voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is
to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Matthew 27:46
13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, And
canst not look on iniquity: Wherefore lookest thou
upon them that deal treacherously, And holdest thy
tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is
more righteous than he? Habakkuk 1:13
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I. THE DESTRUCTIVE ENTRANCE OF
SIN
We do not know exactly when sin was introduced to this
universe; we do not fully understand how; but we do know it
began within the angelic ranks prior to the fall of man.
A. The Fall Of Lucifer:
Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:12-19:
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son
of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground,
which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast
said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I
will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will
sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the
sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the
heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the
sides of the pit. 16 They that see thee shall
narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying,
Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that
did shake kingdoms; 17 That made the world as a
wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; That
opened not the house of his prisoners? Isaiah
14:12–17
12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king
of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God;
Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect
in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of
God; every precious stone was thy covering, the
sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the
onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and
the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy
tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the
day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed
cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou
wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked
up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou
wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16 By
the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled
the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast
sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of
the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O
covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of
fire. 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy
beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of
thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I
will lay thee before kings, that they may behold
thee. 18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the
multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of
thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire
from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I
will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight
of all them that behold thee. 19 All they that know
thee among the people shall be astonished at thee:
thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any
more. Ezekiel 28:12–19
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B. The Fall Of The Angels:
2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6:
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but
cast them down to hell, and delivered them into
chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 2
Peter 2:4
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate,
but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in
everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment
of the great day. Jude 6
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C. The Fall Of Man:
Genesis 3:1-6, Romans 5:12, Romans 5 19:
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of
the field which the Lord God had made. And he said
unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat
of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said
unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the
trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree
which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said,
Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it,
lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman,
Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in
the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be
opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and
evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was
good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes,
and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took
of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also
unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Genesis
3:1–6
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the
world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon
all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made
sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be
made righteous. Romans 5:19
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The result of Satan̓s rebellion was judgment, and the
entrance of sin into this world has brought judgment upon
every part of God̓s creation.
II. THE DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF
SIN UPON THE HEAVENS
Today there is wickedness in the “high places” – Ephesians
6:12:
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12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
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In the unseen spirit world — the ‘air̓ — Satan and his host
hold considerable sway. Ephesians 2:2, Daniel 10:12-13:
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of the
power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the
children of disobedience: Ephesians 2:2
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from
the first day that thou didst set thine heart to
understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God,
thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood
me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the
chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there
with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:12–13
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III. THE DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF
SIN UPON THE EARTH
Sin has wrought havoc on the earth:
A. In The Ground: The
ground and all that grows in it has been cursed — Genesis
3:18:
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18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to
thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Genesis 3:18
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B. In The Animal Kingdom:
It is because of sin that animals are often wild and
dangerous — Genesis 3:14, Genesis 9:2:
14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because
thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all
cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy
belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the
days of thy life: Genesis 3:14
2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be
upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl
of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and
upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are
they delivered. Genesis 9:2
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The fact is, all of God̓s creation groans and travails under
the weight of sin. Romans 8:22:
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22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and
travaileth in pain together until now. Romans 8:22
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IV. THE DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF
SIN UPON MANKIND
A. The Progressive Effects Of Sin: Any honest person will
admit that man̓s so-called progress has in reality been a
‘degeneration̓ — rather than an evolution.
1. Sin Has Affected The Longevity
Of Man. The antediluvian life-span was measured in
centuries. Nowadays it is measured in decades, and that
despite many marvelous advances in medical science.
2. Sin Has Affected Man̓s
Knowledge Of God. Man has degenerated from a state of
intimate knowledge of his Creator to one of indigent
knowledge.
In Romans 1:18-32 we read of this departure. Verses 21-23
give the downward steps:
Knew God;
Became vain;
Heart darkened;
Became fools;
New gods.
The increase in ungodliness has spiraled to the place where
iniquity now abounds.
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18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because
that which may be known of God is manifest in them;
for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the
invisible things of him from the creation of the
world are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as
God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their
imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became
fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible
God into an image made like to corruptible man, and
to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to
uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,
to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served the creature more than the
Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this
cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for
even their women did change the natural use into
that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also
the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lust one toward another; men with
men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in
themselves that recompence of their error which was
meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God
in their knowledge, God gave them over to a
reprobate mind, to do those things which are not
convenient; 29 Being filled with all
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder,
debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers,
without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which
commit such things are worthy of death, not only do
the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1:18–32
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B. The Personal Effects Of Sin:
1. All Men Are Sinners.
Romans 3:23:
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23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory
of God; Romans 3:23
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We are not sinners because we sin — we sin because we are
sinners! That is, all men are born with a sin nature — an
inherent tendency to sin.
a. We are sinners by BIRTH!
— Psalm 51:5, Psalm 58:3:
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did
my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: They go
astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Psalm
58:3
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b. We are sinners by NATURE
— Jeremiah 17:9:
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9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
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c. We are sinners by CHOICE
— John 3:19:
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19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come
into the world, and men loved darkness rather than
light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
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d. We are sinners by DEED
— James 4:17:
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17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and
doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17
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2. All Men Are Depraved. The doctrine of the “depravity of
man” is one which needs to be carefully understood. For
some, the idea of depravity conjures up an image of men
behaving as insane killers, or the like. The term is
Calvinistic, and in that particular theology sees man as
totally sinful to the extent that he cannot even respond to
the Gospel.
a. The Meaning a Depravity.
i. All men lack original righteousness.
ii. All men are corrupt in nature, and have a bias toward
evil.
b. The Extent of Depravity.
i. It does NOT mean:
— that every sinner is totally devoid of all qualities which
are pleasing to men. Mark 10:21, Matthew 23:23:
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto
him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell
whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou
shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the
cross, and follow me. Mark 10:21
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and
have omitted the weightier matters of the law,
judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have
done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew
23:23
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— that a man commits or is even prone to commit every form
of sin.
— that a man is as bitterly opposed to God as it is possible
to be.
ii. It DOES mean:
— that every sinner is totally destitute of that love of God
which is the fundamental requirement of the Law. Deuteronomy
6:4-5, Matthew 22:35-38:
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
might. Deuteronomy 6:4–5
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a
question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which
is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said
unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:35–38
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— that every man has a preference for self and an aversion
to God. Romans 8:7, 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for
it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
can be. Romans 8:7
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous
times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their
own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers
of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a
form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1–5
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— that every faculty is corrupted so no thought, feeling, or
deed can be fully approved of God. Ephesians 4:18, Romans
7:8:
18 Having the understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God through the ignorance
that is in them, because of the blindness of their
heart: Ephesians 4:18
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment,
wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For
without the law sin was dead. Romans 7:8
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c. The Result Of Depravity.
i. Depravity has produced a total
spiritual inability in the sinner, in the sense that he
cannot by his own volition change his character and life to
make it conform to the law of God, nor change his
fundamental preference for self and sin to supreme love for
God.
— All men, without respect of condition or class, are
sinners before God. Romans 3:9-10, Romans 3:22-23, Isaiah
53:6:
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we
have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all
under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no,
not one: Romans 3:9–10
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus
Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is
no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God; Romans 3:22–23
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every
one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the
iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
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— This condition is a direct result of the sin of Adam.
Romans 5:12-19:
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12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all
have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but
sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless
death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had
not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who
is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the
offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the
offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and
the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath
abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned,
so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation,
but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17
For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more
they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of
righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all
men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the
free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so
by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans
5:12–19
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— The whole world rests under condemnation, wrath, and
curse.
— The unsaved are regarded as “children of the Devil,” and
not “Sons of God.” I John 3:8-10, John 8:44, 1 John 5:19:
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil
sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God
was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the
devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for
his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is
born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest,
and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not
righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his
brother. 1 John 3:8–10
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a
liar, and the father of it. John 8:44
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth
in wickedness. 1 John 5:19
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— The entire race is captive to sin and Satan. Romans
7:1-25, John 8:31-36, Ephesians 2:3:
1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the
law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as
he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by
the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the
husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to
another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her
husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is
no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law
by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another,
even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should
bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh,
the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our
members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are
delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were
held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in
the oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? Is the
law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the
law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou
shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the
commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For
without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the
law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I
died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I
found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the
commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore
the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and
good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God
forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in
me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might
become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is
spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that
which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but
what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would
not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it
is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For
I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good
thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform
that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would
I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now
if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but
sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I
would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in
the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another
law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and
bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me
from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the
law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:1–25
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If
ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were
never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be
made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the
Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you
free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:31–36
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past
in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the
flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of
wrath, even as others. Ephesians 2:3
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— The entire nature of man is affected by sin.
ii. The sinner can do one very
important thing: that is, give attention to divine Truth.
d. The Workings Of Depravity.
The Apostle Paul often used the term “flesh” in contrast
with “spirit.” In this sense, the ‘flesh̓ means the human
nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore
prone to sin and opposed to God. The Bible regards the flesh
as the seat of the sin principle, Romans 7:18.
This sin principle drags the higher man (soul and spirit)
down into the realm of the flesh, and trough the passions,
appetites, etc., and leads the whole man into thoughts,
acts, and courses of sin.
Paul never says the flesh is evil, but that it is the “open
field” where the sin principle operates.
3. All Men Shall Reap Sin̓s
Wages.
a. Physical Death.
Already the body is weak, prone to sickness, dying. Physical
death is certain. Romans 5:12-14, Hebrews 9:27:
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all
have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but
sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless
death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had
not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who
is the figure of him that was to come. Romans 5:12–14
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after
this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27
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b. Spiritual Death.
The unsaved man is spiritually dead to God. Ephesians 2:1,
Ephesians 4:18:
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and
sins; Ephesians 2:1
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from
the life of God through the ignorance that is in them,
because of the blindness of their heart: Ephesians 4:18
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c. Eternal Death.
Matthew 10:23, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Revelation 14:11,
Revelation 20:15:
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into
another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone
over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Matthew 10:23
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not
God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from
the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2
Thessalonians 1:8–9
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and
ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the
beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his
name. Revelation 14:11
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15
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4. All Men Are Enslaved By Sin.
Sin robs a Samson of his strength, a David of his character,
a Solomon of his wisdom, a Judas of his discipleship. Every
unsaved soul is a slave to sin.
C. The Penal Effects Of Sin.
From the very first, sin has carried with it a penalty:
Genesis 2:16-17, James 1:15, Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23:
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree
of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:
for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
die. Genesis 2:16–17
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and
sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:15
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so
also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it
shall die. Ezekiel 18:4
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
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1. The Penalty For Sin Is
Presently Abiding Upon The Unsaved.
According to the Word of God the unbelieving sinner is at
this very moment:
a. Condemned Already —
John 3:18:
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18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John
3:18
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b. Under The Wrath Of God
— John 3:36:
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36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and
he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the
wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
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c. Without Eternal Life —
I John 5:11-12:
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11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son
hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not
life. 1 John 5:11–12
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d. Lost — Luke 15:4-10,
17, 24, 32; 2 Corinthians 4:3:
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one
of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the
wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find
it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his
shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth
together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them,
Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over
one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine
just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman
having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not
light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently
till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth
her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice
with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke
15:4–10
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and
I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was
lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for
this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost,
and is found. Luke 15:32
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Corinthians 4:3
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e. Spiritually Dead —
Ephesians 2:1-5, 1 Timothy 5:6:
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and
sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of the power
of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation
in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the
desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the
children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in
mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when
we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with
Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:1–5
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
1 Timothy 5:6
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f. Guilty — James 2:10:
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in
one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10 g. Alienated —
Ephesians 2:12.
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens
from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the
covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the
world: Ephesians 2:12
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2. The Penalty For Sin Will Be
Enacted Upon The Unsaved.
According to the Word of God the unbelieving sinner faces:
a. Everlasting Punishment
— Matthew 25:46:
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46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but
the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46
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b. Eternal Judgment —
Hebrews 6:2:
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2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands,
and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:2
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c. Everlasting Destruction
— 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Philippians 3:19, Romans 9:22,
Matthew 7:13:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from
the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2
Thessalonians 1:9
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and
whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Philippians 3:19
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his
power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of
wrath fitted to destruction: Romans 9:22
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat: Matthew 7:13
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d. Perdition — Philippians
1:28, Hebrews 10:39, 2 Peter 3:7. The word “perish” — John
3:16 — means:
Pass
Eternally
Ruined
Into
Sinner̓s
Hell
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to
them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation,
and that of God. Philippians 1:28
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but
of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews
10:39
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same
word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day
of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:7
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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e. Eternal Damnation — 2
Peter 2:3, Matthew 23:33, Mark 3:29, John 5:29:
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words
make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time
lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter
2:3
33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape
the damnation of hell? Matthew 23:33
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath
never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Mark 3:29
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation. John 5:29
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There is no second chance — there is no purgatory. The Bible
teaches that after physical death comes the Judgment —
Hebrews 9:27 – that between Heaven and Hell is a “great gulf
fixed “ — Luke 16:26 – and that a man̓s spiritual condition
in this life remains unaltered in the next – Revelation
22:11:
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after
this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27
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. Luke 16:26
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which
is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is
righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy,
let him be holy still. Revelation 22:11
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V. THE AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Every effect of sin upon mankind applies to every human
being and that includes new born babies. Regardless of what
the deceived infant baptizers and many wicked Calvinists
teach, the Bible clearly teaches that a just God does not
hold infants personally liable for their sins. However,
there obviously comes a time when an individual does become
accountable to God for their sin — hence the term, the “Age
of Accountability”. This doctrine of accountability is based
upon the following Biblical facts:
A. All Children Have A Sin Nature:
Psalm 51:5:
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5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother
conceive me. Psalm 51:5
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B. All Children Manifest Their
Sin Nature Immediately: Psalm 58:3, Proverbs 20:11.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: They go astray as
soon as they be born, speaking lies. Psalm 58:3
11 Even a child is known by his doings, Whether his work be
pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 20:11
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C. Little Children Cannot Discern
Between Good And Evil: Deuteronomy 1:39:
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39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a
prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge
between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto
them will I give it, and they shall possess it. Deuteronomy
1:39
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Therefore, they are not accountable. This does not
necessarily mean that they cannot respond in obedience to
parental authority. Discernment is a learning process.
D. Little Children Do Not Sin
Wilfully: Romans 5:14:
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14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over
them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s
transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Romans 5:14
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The phrase, “...even over them that had not sinned after the
similitude of Adam̓s transgression...” indicates that little
children do not wilfully disobey God̓s law (as did Adam) —
they only naturally disobey.
E. Little Children Who Die Are
‘Safe̓ In Jesus: 2 Samuel 12:23:
23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring
him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return
to me. 2 Samuel 12:23
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David̓s child died shortly after birth. David, who was a
saved man, had the assurance that he would one day see his
son alive in Heaven — demonstrating the fact that infants
who die go to be with the Lord.
F. Children Become Accountable
From Their ‘Youth On Up̓: Genesis 8:21, Matthew
19:20:
21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in
his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for
man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from
his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing
living, as I have done. Genesis 8:21
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I
kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Matthew 19:20
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As to exactly when this point occurs, the Bible is silent.
The “age of accountability” no doubt varies with each child,
and depends to some degree upon external influences. In
godly homes, where the Bible is taught this can be at a very
early age. See also: 2 Chronicles 34:1-3; 2 Chronicles 36:9;
2 Timothy 3:15:
1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2 And he did that
which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the
ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right
hand, nor to the left. 3 For in the eighth year of his
reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the
God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to
purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the
groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. 2
Chronicles 34:1–3
9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and
he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he
did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. 2
Chronicles 36:9
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15
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G. Accountability Involves
Understanding God̓s Law: Nehemiah 8:2-3:
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2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the
congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear
with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read therein before the street that was before the
water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and
the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of
all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
Nehemiah 8:2–3
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