Question 91: What does every sin deserve?

Answer: Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come.

DAY 1:

We have seen that all men are sinners and are hopelessly lost in their sin apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. We have also seen that the Bible teaches that some sins are in fact more heinous in the sight of God than others. However, the question then becomes, “Do all sins deserve the same condemnation and punishment?” The answer as we see in our catechism is “Yes”. Though there may be degrees of God’s wrath and curse, ultimately all sin brings about the same judgment: death. Let’s look to the Scriptures to see what they teach concerning what every sin deserves.

We have noted in the past that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven to men against all ungodliness (Rom. 1:18). In light of this, the special revelation of God teaches this same principle. As we saw in our study of Proverbs, it often uses contrasts to communicate its meaning. Proverbs 3:33 is no different. We have the contrast of the wicked and the righteous. But the verse speaks specifically to what is to befall the wicked and to be upon the righteous. First we will note that there is the illusion to what God told Israel (Deut. 28) concerning blessing and cursing. This is significant, because many of the same blessings and cursings that we find in that passage still apply in a general concept to all men. Though in the passage they are directed at Israel, many of blessings are bestowed upon those who are obedient to God and many of the cursings fall upon those who are disobedient to Him. Here is this particular verse we find that the curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. There are two words here in Hebrew that we can look at. They are “house” (bayith bah’-yith) and “home” (naveh naw-veh’). The first speaks to one’s family and dwelling place. It comes from the word which carries the meaning of establishment. Therefore, a wicked man’s “blessings” end up becoming his cursings (cf. Mal 2:2; Zech. 5:2-4). His home becomes a place of unrest instead of a place of joy and reverence for God.

In contrast, the just man’s home is blessed. The word here refers to “abode or habitation”. It carries the idea of the abode of the shepherd and his sheep. Wherever the shepherd goes becomes his dwelling and wherever the sheep follow their shepherd there is rest, protection and provision. In other words, the just man’s entire sphere of living is blessed. His life, as well as, his home is filled with the presence of God and joy and rest. This may also speak to the issue of the setting apart of an elder and a deacon. Remember that an elder and a deacon are to have their home in order and have their children in submission to him (1 Tim. 3:4-5; 11-12; Titus 1:6). This would indicate God’s blessing upon the man and would be one of the qualifiers of leadership in the church. Remember, also that a just man cannot boast in his blessings and boast of his justness, but rather is a recipient of the grace of God. Therefore, the blessed abode of the just man is a demonstration of the glory of God’s grace, but the cursed home of the wicked man is a demonstration of the glory of God’s wrath. So even in this life we can see the practical consequences of sin upon men. NOTE: Give some illustrations of either your life or someone you know that might give “flesh” to this truth.

In looking at the previous passage, we have noted that it is the grace of God which is the primary factor in one being a man who is just and blessed, rather than one who is wicked and cursed. However, as we have seen all men are evil and wicked from their childhood (Gen. 8:21).

The sad reality is that man has never ceased to try and make the attempt to justify himself before other men and before God. From the beginning Adam didn’t want to take responsibility for his sin. He wanted to place the blame on Eve and on God for making her. However, his one sin resulted in his death and the deaths of all mankind (Gen. 2:17; 5:5; Rom. 5:12-21). This is before the Law of God was given to Moses. Before there were Ten Commandments, there was only one, “Don’t eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” Adam and Eve had free reign of the Garden and the earth. There was nothing that was off limits for them, except one tree. Man failed to stand on the side of righteousness with God against his adversary, Satan and thus brought the curse of God upon himself and the whole human race. If man, in a perfect environment and created in holiness and righteousness will not keep one command of God, then those who are helplessly enslaved and dead in sin, cannot fulfill God’s law either.

Paul wrote to the Galatians to rebuke their thinking concerning their vain attempts at self justification through the Law. In chapter three we see that he is strongly upset with their quick defection from the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ(1:6). Notice he calls them foolish in verse one. John MacArthur rightly points out that this is not an attack on their intellect. Rather it is a strong confrontation of their lack of obedience to the gospel. “Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth?” The term bewitched (baskaino bas-kah’-ee-no) carries the idea of charming. However, it does seem to imply by its own definition and by the root word that it comes from that the Galatians probably had some pressure put on them by the Judaizers through words they might say about them. We know what this is like when people try to be persuasive with us in selling us things. I remember one time when someone showed up at the house with a famous vacuum cleaner and tried to “bewitch” us by asking us if we would want our children crawling around in such a dust and mold filled carpet floor in order to sell us something that, in all actuality, was no better than what we were using. This is exactly what the Judaizers were doing to the Galatians. They were trying to sell them something that was “damaged goods”.

Paul also seems to make it clear that they had no excuse for submitting to the pressure of going back under the law. Notice in verse one that “Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified.” The word for clearly portrayed is prographo (prog-raf’-o). It is a word that simply means “to write before”. It can also carry the idea of a painting or picture before the eyes. This can refer to several things, which, no doubt, the apostle Paul did concerning the Gospel. First, it can refer to presenting the Old Testament Scriptures (those words written beforehand about Christ). There is no question that he used these in presenting Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 13:14-14:23) when he came through the area of southern Galatia to establish churches in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Notice the first thing that he does when he arrives in these cities. He seeks out the synagogues and begins to reason with the people there from the Scriptures. He is clear to point out that justification and salvation can only come from Jesus Christ. It cannot come from the keeping of the law and has never been based on any human merit at all at any time. I really get worked up when I hear people who should know better say that those in the Old Testament offered some merit to their salvation. That kind of thinking is along the same kind of lines as the false teachers who entered the church of Galatia. It has no place in biblical Christianity.

Paul goes on to warn of the curse that comes from trying to be justified by the law (vs. 10). Is the law to be obeyed? Yes. But it is not to be obeyed in order that we might present ourselves before God clothed in our own righteousness. No. It is to be obeyed because it shows our love for the Lord Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us that He might clothe us in His righteousness. Justification is not for the glory of man, but for the glory of God. However, those who are of the works of the law are under its curse, for they are bound to continue (or persevere; remain) in ALL the things of the law. This speaks primarily to the Jews who were given the Law and were brought up in it. I think it best suits them in this context. Yet, there are those within evangelical churches who seek to come back under the law in order that they, like the false teachers among the Galatians might justify themselves. There is no justification in the law (Gal. 2:16; 3:11)!

James spells out very clear for us that the continuance of ALL things in the law applies to every aspect of the law at all times. Notice what he says, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Violating one of God’s law, one time, even if it is in thought, motive, attitude, or deed, means that we come under the curse of God. What is that curse? That curse is death. What did the law demand when violated? Death. What did God require of Adam when he sinned by partaking of the tree? Death. What shall happen to the soul that sins? It shall die. The curse is death. All men must die, because all men have sinned and the wages of their sin is death. Apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in a sinner’s life, he will continue in his sin and die physically and partake of the vengeful wrath of Almighty God. This is what sin deserves.

But the good news is that sin was dealt the death blow by God through His Son Jesus Christ. Upon the cross Jesus bore the sin of the world and took God’s wrath and the punishment of death in His own body. He did it in order that the justice and righteousness of God might be manifest and so that God could demonstrate His love for those He came to save. What glorious truths, that God saves sinners who justly deserve to be sentenced to death and then face His eternal wrath. May His name be forever glorified in our lives as we seek to exalt His Law and His Gospel.

Discuss with your family the concept of death. Ask if everyone is really ready to die. Ask them to take seriously contemplating death. For those in your family who are believers, ask them to describe their appreciation for the grace of God through Jesus Christ that cleansed them from their sins. Make sure they understand the power of the law to condemn and not to save. Make sure they understand the power of Jesus Christ and His Gospel to save.

DAY 2:

Remember the famous words from the herald of the Messiah? John the Baptist came preaching, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” He also clearly defined that while the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, there was also judgment at hand as well. He referenced to the Jewish leaders who came out to see him about “fleeing the wrath to come” (cf. Matt. 3:7; Luke 3:7) and warned them of imminent judgment (Matt. 3:10). John the Baptist was not a man to mince words. He was very straight forward. In calling for men to repent, he was addressing the age old truth that men had something to repent of: sin. On one particular occasion, he was basically asked how to put this repentance into practice (Luke 3:10-14). He gave some very practical things, which helped the people to see their sin and also understand what true repentance was in actions. However, they could not understand the spiritual implications of repentance without the work of the Holy Spirit.

An important thing to note is that John was very clear about the kind of judgment that God would execute upon wicked men. He used the metaphor of a tree that already had an ax in motion at its roots and will be cut down if it does not produce good fruit and thrown into the fire (Luke 3:9). He also speaks of judgment being like that of the chaff that has been separated from the wheat and burned with fire (3:17). The source of the judgment of sin is the Lord Himself (3:16).

All sin is due punishment. We are paid a just punishment for our sins. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).” We understand that wages are what we are due for services rendered. When I enter into a contract with my boss, by accepting employment in his business, I expect to be paid for the time and services that I provide him. Also, my pay from that time on will depend on my understanding, attitude and performance of my job. Likewise, men are under the administration of God. Though some do not have the written law of God they do bear the image of God and thus understand something of their responsibility towards Him (Rom. 1:19, 20). However, there are those who do have the law and greater understanding of God and their obligation towards Him. Both are totally incapable of fulfilling the law of God and loving Him supremely and loving their neighbors. Thus their whole life becomes sinful. This is falling short of the glory of God. For man, every action, thought, and word becomes sinful, because it is not to the glory of God. Therefore, those sins are due a payment. That payment is death. All sin brings about death. James says, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death (James 1:14-15).” Death is a self destructive mechanism built into men. It is triggered by sin. Since all men are sinners (Rom. 3:23), then all men will face death. But what awaits a person after death?

The Bible is clear that those who do not believe in Jesus Christ will die in their sins (Jn. 8:24). After death, those who have rejected Jesus Christ will find themselves in the reality of the judgment of God. Jesus gave us a picture of this judgment in the story He told regarding the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16. There we find that the rich man, who was obviously a Jew in the fires of Hell and tormented. Yet, he found no relief and continued to be spiritually blind and unrepentant, though he did become somewhat evangelistic in his efforts to see that his brothers didn’t come to that place. Yet, we find that he was one who had been comforted in life and yet found no need to comfort a poor beggar with sores. This is not to say that because one may be poor or give himself to much ministry to the poor means that he will escape the judgment of God. Rather, it is to communicate what the Pharisees of the day were to expect, since they based their holiness on the fact that they were children of Abraham and tried to keep themselves to strict laws for the sake of self righteousness. However, their self righteousness would burn will them in the fires of eternal judgment.

You see sin is disobedience. It is failing to submit oneself to God and come under His Lordship. Let me carefully define this lest someone misunderstand. All men are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is Lord. We do not make Him that. No man is a free agent and works independently of God’s will. Every man is under the sovereign control of God (Prov. 16:9). There are those who have been quickened by the Holy Spirit and desire to be obedient towards God. They love Him and long to show their love for Him in the way that He has prescribed that men should love Him. Yet, many are in a state of disobedience. They continue to sin and many may even think they are pleasing God (such was the case of the Pharisees and even the Apostle Paul at one time), but the Words of God are that they are in sin. Therefore, they have judgment to fear.

This disobedience was known by believers before their conversion. Ephesians 2:1-3 reminds us that we were once among the sons of disobedience. We were the enemies of God and we indulged and enjoyed ourselves fulfilling the various cravings of our flesh. However, we have been saved from the destruction that follows such disobedience because of Jesus Christ. But for those who continue in disobedience (sin), then there is wrath to expect, unless the Lord shows mercy. In the same book, in chapter 5, Paul tells us some of the things that warrant the wrath of God. Paul tells us that those who engage, as a lifestyle, in fornication, coveting, idolatry, and uncleanness (morally unclean in their thoughts and actions) have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. Why? It is because Jesus Christ saves from sin. Someone who claims to be saved and yet they continue to practice these things is giving evidence that Christ has not saved him and that he is still in his sins.

Thus we read in verse 6, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” The term here for “empty” is kenos (ken-os’). It simply means vain. These are very flowery and affirmative words that seek to comfort and appease the conscience. In the modern church these might come in the form of, “Have you ever asked Jesus to save you?” or “Do you ever remember a time when you made a decision for Jesus?” These are usually tied with certain Scriptures such as “Whoever calls upon the Lord will be saved.” Therefore, one would conclude that if someone actually used their mouths to speak the name of Jesus and ask for forgiveness that true salvation took place. But true salvation is not dependent upon the words of man, but the will of God (Jn. 1:13).

I have met many people who think because they prayed a prayer at one time in the past that somehow that put them in right favor with God, while their life remained unchanged. Though they definitely sense that something is wrong, they are fed the “empty words” that come from those who seek to give easy answers rather then point people towards Christ. As a matter of fact, these who are constantly in this position are many times engaged in the very things that Paul warns is characteristic of the unregenerate. It is BECAUSE of these things that the wrath of God comes.

Discuss with your family some sins and why they would incur the wrath of God. Ask them if they are fearful of the judgment of God. Do they cling to Christ as their only source of escape from the wrath of God? Do they understand that they are at the mercy of God? Help them understand their responsibility before God for their sins, even those who are young in your household.

DAY 3:

In our final day, let’s see who the Bible says are the ones that find themselves in the lake of fire. Revelation 21:8 lists for us these people. I will list these in the order which they appear in the text with their Greek words and definitions:

Cowardly - deilos (di-los’) - timid, fearful

Unbelieving - apistos (ap’-is-tos) - unfaithful, faithless, unbelieving, incredulous, without trust (in God)

Abominable - bdelusso (bdel-oos’-so) - to render foul, to cause to be abhorred, to abhor, detest (this is a perfect passive participle, which is a verb that is used as a noun in this case, often called a verbal noun).

Murderers - phoneus (fon-yooce’) – a murderer, a homicide

Sexually immoral - pornos (por’-nos) - a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire, a male prostitute, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

Sorcerers - pharmakeus (far-mak-yoos’) - one who prepares or uses magical remedies, sorcerer

Idolaters - eidololatres (i-do-lol-at’-race) - a worshipper of false gods, a idolater; used of any one even Christian, participant in any way in the worship of the heathen, esp. one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of offered victims; a covetous man as a worshipper of Mammon.

Liars - pseudes (psyoo-dace’) - lying, deceitful, false

It is very interesting that the first two types of sinners that are in Hell are the cowardly and unbelieving.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:6; Galatians 3:10; Proverbs 3:33; Psalm 11:6; Revelation 21:8.