Romans 6:23 "Consequences of Sin"

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 6:23

One thing mankind in general has trouble coming to grips with is that there is a hell. The last things we want to think about as we pursue our own agenda are the consequences. We already deal with temporary consequences for sin here in our lifetime, we don’t want to consider something terrible that lasts for eternity. Yet God has definitely established a permanent consequence for sin and it is hell – an eternal separation from God.

Many people want to argue that if God is a God of love, He would never send anyone to hell. But remember the points we’ve already covered. 1) God is perfect love and perfectly just and 2) God and sin cannot live together. Someone has to pay for our sins and since He is a loving God, He already provided the sacrifice. We just have to provide the repentant heart. God doesn’t send people to hell, we make choices. If we follow the Father, we follow what His heart’s desire is – that no one should enter eternal separation from Him.

Further Thoughts:

1. What temporary consequences of sin do we suffer now?
2. What Scripture supports the fact that there is a hell?
3. In your own words, describe what you believe hell would be like.
4. In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus says that not all people who call themselves Christians will enter heaven. Who does He say will enter? Explain why.

Father, forgive me my sins and I choose to stay on a path toward righteousness. My desire it for eternity with You. Amen.