What is Sin? Part 5

Thanks for coming back for part 5 even though it isn't Thursday. If you need to catch up on this series here are the links: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

The answer to the question "what is sin?" can ultimately be answered "treason against a Holy God." I have already shown that one root sin of every "sin" is idolatry. In Psalm 51 David says "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight..." (Psalm 51:4). Historically treason is considered a crime against ones master, country, or anyone to whom that person owes allegiance. God created us, He is infinitely Holy, righteous, and good.

So the next fitting question is, "what is a fitting punishment for this high treason?" And the unfortunate answer to that question, according to the Bible, is eternal conscious torment. Because this has been a survey of sin and not hell I won't go very deep. The important thing to see is that hell is the result of sin. It is described as a place "prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41) but the same text tells us that it is the destination for those one the wrong side of God's judgment.

There are several objections to the doctrine of eternal punishment these days all of which are rooted in a misunderstanding of several doctrines not the least of which is sin. If you only think of sin as that bad word you said the other day or that white lie you probably think God will judge you less harshly or perhaps even find you to be a pretty good person. But when we see that our very nature is sinful, that our attitudes our sinful, that apart from enabling grace every moment of our lives would be faithless and therefore sinful, that our sins are committed against the highest of kings and therefore an infinite treason, we might just realize that eternal punishment is the only fitting judgment for us.

This concludes the series. I'm not sure what I will do beginning next week so just come back.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen