Why Do We Die?
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12)
Why do we die? Why are we in such a predicament? We did not choose to be born, and, if given the choice, we would not choose to die. Nevertheless, we must accept this reality. Everyone dies.
Death is one of the many consequences of sin. We will list four...
Severed relationship with God
By sinning against God, Adam severed the relationship that he had with God. Our relationship to God is broken because of our sin.
“But your iniquities¹ have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).Banishment Adam was banished from the garden where God had placed him. Even the ground was cursed because of Adam’s sin, consequently, only by his toil and labor would the ground produce food for him.
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken (Genesis 3:22 23).Physical death for Adam and all of his offspring
Adam is the natural (physical) father of us all and representative of the human race. His corrupt nature is passed on from generation to generation through our fathers. We inherit his sinful nature, and due to our own sin against God, we will die physically as well.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).Eternity in the lake of fire Adam did not merely die physically. In the day that Adam sinned against God, he died spiritually. As descendants of Adam, we are born spiritually dead in sin, separated from God. Upon physical death, eternal torment in the lake of fire awaits all who have not been reconciled¹ to God.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).
¹ Reconciled – brought into friendship from a state of hostility, enmity, or hatred
Next time…
God’s Judgment and Compassion