Basic Bible Doctrine (Part 08) - The Wages of Sin is Death

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. V. The Wages of Sin is Death 1. As was before proved, men inherited a sinful nature from Adam (Rom 5:12; Eph 2:3). A. We not only inherited a sinful nature, but we have all sinned ourselves (Rom 5:12; Rom 3:23). i. Sin is the transgression of the law (1Jo 3:4). ii. There is not a person alive that has not sinned (1Ki 8:46; Ecc 7:20). iii. Have you ever: a. Lied? Ever lied to your parents when they asked where you were or what you did? (Exo 20:16) b. Stolen anything? Have you ever taken anything that wasn't yours, regardless of the cost? (Exo 20:15) c. Dishonoured your parents? Have you ever cursed your parents in your heart? (Exo 20:12) d. Coveted or lusted after anything? (Exo 20:17) e. Committed adultery? (Exo 20:14) In your heart? (Mat 5:28) f. Murdered anyone? (Exo 20:13) In your heart? (Mat 5:21 c/w 1Jo 3:15). g. Used the Lord's name in vain (Devoid of real value, worth, or significance; idle, unprofitable, useless, worthless; of no effect, force, or power; fruitless, futile, unavailing.)? (Exo 20:7) h. Worshipped and idol? (Exo 20:4) In your heart? (Col 3:5) i. Had a god before God? (Exo 20:2-3) In your heart? (Phi 3:19) iv. If we claim to have no sin or to not have sinned, we are liars (1Jo 1:8,10). B. The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). i. Wage - A payment to a person for service rendered. ii. Death is earned; it is worked for. iii. God would be unjust to not render payment for work performed. iv. It only takes one sin to condemn you (Gen 2:17 c/w Rom 5:12). C. This death is an eternal death in hell and the lake of fire where all those go who are judged according to their works (Rev 20:11-15; Mat 25:41). D. We have broken an eternal law of the eternal God and we therefore must be punished eternally. 2. Nothing that a man can do can make him just and holy in the sight of God. A. Man cannot be saved by works (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 9:11). i. Work - 1. Something that is or was done; what a person does or did; an act, deed, proceeding, business; in pl. actions, doings ii. Salvation is not by our alleged good works (2Ti 1:9; Tit 3:5). iii. All our good works are as filthy rags to God because we have a defiled sinful nature (Isa 64:6; Tit 1:15). B. Man cannot be saved by keeping the law (Gal 2:16). i. The law is the knowledge of sin (Rom 3:20). ii. The law condemns us (Gal 3:10). iii. If we don't continue in all things written in the law, we are cursed (Gal 3:10). iv. If we keep the whole law and slip up just once, we are guilty of all (Jam 2:10). v. Even if we sin through ignorance and don't know it, we are still guilty (Lev 5:15,17). C. Man cannot be saved by offering sacrifices. i. The sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to God (Pro 15:8). ii. The things the Gentiles (people outside of God's religion) sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils (1Co 10:20). iii. Even the sacrifices under the law of Moses which God ordained never took away sins (Heb 10:1-4; Heb 10:11). D. Man cannot be saved by religious ordinances. i. Baptism will not save you eternally, nor change your filthy fleshly nature (1Pe 3:21). ii. Doing miraculous works such as prophesying, casting our devils, or other wonderful works like speaking in tongues will not save you (Mat 7:21-23). E. Man cannot even be saved by his own freewill or belief. i. God's election is not of him that willeth...but of God that sheweth mercy (Rom 9:16). ii. Faith is a work of the law (Mat 23:23; 1Th 1:3). a. Belief in Jesus is a work (Joh 6:28-29). b. As we have already seen, salvation is not of works. iii. Believing in Jesus is a commandment (1Jo 3:22-23). iv. We cannot be saved by keeping commandments (Gal 3:21; Gal 2:21). 3. The answer to our sin problem is not in ourselves, for we by nature are the children of wrath, But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Eph 2:4-5).