Sin | The Consequence of Sin
Having established the origin of sin being at the beginning of mankind as a representation of all mankind, the consequences of sin should be understood in light of what it is. Throughout the Bible, some of the earthly punishments for sin vary in degree. Not all sins are equal and the consequences and repercussions of sin vary based on the severity of what occurred in an earthly sense. Yet, in a more cosmic sense, our sin nature stands in stark contrast with the nature of God and requires a punishment more severe. When viewed through the cosmic lens of God’s holiness, the natural consequence of sin must be paid for to be in the good graces of a holy and perfect King.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:12-17, ESV)
No one can claim innocence or sinlessness. No one enters the world as a blank slate but instead contains the sin nature within them that leads us to our rebellion against God. Sin has been woven into our nature and into our DNA, leaving us guilty of sinful nature and turning our hearts away from the King. Rebellion against the King should always be treated as a full on insurrection and an attack on the rule of the holy King of the Universe. Sin, then, any amount of sin, must be punished with death. There can be no alternative that would be sufficient to satisfy the righteous requirements from a Holy and perfect God.
The Rebellion Against The King
Sin as rebellion against God can only be viewed as rebellion as the sovereign Kingdom of God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, ESV) The consequence of sin are the result of our rebellion against God as those who stood against Him. We cannot and should not be surprised when the consequences of sin are viewed as the harsh as they are even. Sin, being rebellion against an all sovereign Kingdom will not permit invasions or to be conquered. Our persistence is sin is nothing short of our incursion against the righteous rule of God which will not be able to successfully over throw the throne of God.
God is a fully reigning King, sovereign over all creation. God, as our King, cannot be considered a good and just King if sin were to remain unpunished. Thus, sin must be held accountable as treason against the sovereign rule and reign of God over all eternity. Had God allowed sin to go unpunished, He would have to abandon all sense of justice and abdicate His role as sovereign King over all the world. Hence, the consequence or wages of sin is that death must occur as a payment for the treasonous rebellion. There are no small sins in the face of the King and no partial commitment to the King. At the end, we will find ourselves facing the consequences of our sin against the King of the Universe or we will find ourselves bowed to Him and King and Lord, having been rescued by His grace.
The Holiness of God
The consequence of sin is not in God being a moral monster who seeks only tp punish people for their decisions. Often times, we attempt to depict God as one who judges mankind harshly and kicking them out of His presence for the slightest of sins. Yet, this is a misrepresentation of what occurred. Mankind rebelled against a Holy and perfect God and rejected the sufficiency of His presence for the allure of the flesh. God is absolutely and infinitely Holy and perfect where sin is unholy and imperfect. Sin cannot bear the weight of the presence of God in absolutely holiness. For God to be Holy means He is set apart both in access and in morality. Sin, then, removed us from the presence of God because of our unholiness, creating an impassible chasm between mankind and God.
As God cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, God showed grace to a people who rightfully deserved to die. Unholiness cannot be in the presence of holiness anymore than darkness and bear the weight of standing in the light. Nowhere in our understanding of sin do we find an unjust God who rejects people but a people who rejected God first. Our ability to love God comes from His willingness to love us first. As we seek to understand sin, we cannot neglect God in nature as a Holy God who stands above and apart from those who had rejected Him. Understanding God’s holiness establishes the foundation of His grace in allowing us to approach Him, not as an angry King, but as a Father who draws us to Himself. The holiness of God necessitated that sin be paid for in fullness or He would cease to be holy. The love of God bore the weight of our sin on Himself so that we might return home to His presence, forever.
About The Author
Daniel Burton is the founder of The Gospel Outpost. He is passionate about discipleship and seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. To find out more about him, check out his Author Page.
