Basic Teachings: Sin and Judgment

Sin and Judgment: The Reality of the Human Condition

When we take a look at the Genesis 3 account, we see at the beginning a beautiful world where humans are meant to rule in God’s authority over His creation. We are representatives made in His image to reflect His divine rule and what a privilege that is. But then a serpent enters the picture and the world becomes broken and dark. The serpent deceives the humans into thinking they can make wise choices on their own and the desire to be like God overtakes their desire to obey Him. The woman and man God created rebelled against Him and sinned. Sin eventually corrupts every human heart and God washes away His creation, except for Noah and his family. We then wait for the chosen one to come and mediations are made for the meantime but we still fail. This all leads to Jesus coming to earth eventually but I do want to spend this time talking about sin and its effects. 

The one thing we must all understand is that we are all on the same playing field together in the eyes of God. It does not matter the social class, race, job title, wealth, or any other worldly aspect we may have up on another human. We are all broken, and we are all sinful which makes us equal. Paul tells us this in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Everyone has fallen short. Everyone has sinned. We are no better off than the next person and that makes us all in need of the same Savior. 

Sin also has consequences. Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death”. Paul tells us that there are consequences for sinning. There is a price to pay when we sin and decide to rebel against God and that price is death. There is no eternal life in deciding to disobey God and the price we pay for doing so cannot be overturned. It is a deadly mistake, and one that we all make again and again. 

Judgment Day

When it comes to being judged, we must first understand that there will be a day of judgment. It is one that Jesus taught of in Matthew 25. He uses the analogy of sheep and goats. Those who obey God get to enter into eternal life. Those who do not go into eternal punishment. It is summarized by this statement, “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). Ultimately, there are two choices as to where we go eternally, life or punishment. There is no indication of a third option or a state in which we have a second chance to make things right. Just as Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”. 

According to these Scriptures, Jesus is coming back and after that, there will be a judgment. A judgment that will be decided for eternity. But this judgment is not left up to the roll of a dice or a draw of a card. It is ultimately up to us where we want to spend eternity. In Jesus’ teaching on this matter, there were his servants that served other people and they were rewarded with entrance into God’s kingdom, eternal life. However, there were those that did not serve others and thus were given what they wanted, separation from God. It is a striking truth that all should know. 

An eternal judgment is coming. It is a judgment that will happen once to determine our fate. Though it is up to us, our actions and faith that we choose. Those who believe and are saved by God’s grace will enjoy eternal life. Those who reject the Son, reject eternal life.  

In summary, we sin by choosing to define good and evil by our own terms. We reject God’s view of right and wrong and decide for ourselves what is right. When this happens, we fail to live up to what God has called us to be. All of our actions will be judged one day. The words we say, the way we treat people will all be revealed and our true motives and intentions will be brought into light on that day. May we all hear the words from the throne, “Well done my good and faithful servant”.