Lesson 2 – How We Became Guilty And Damned

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1. WAS THERE EVIL IN THE WORLD WHEN GOD FIRST MADE IT?

Genesis 1:31 — God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

When God first made the world, it was perfect.

Genesis 1:27 — So God created man in his own image.

Man was also perfect. He was without sin, just as God is without sin.

2. WHAT HAPPENED TO CHANGE GOD’S PERFECT WORLD?

2 Peter 2:4 — God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell.

Some angels sinned against God and became devils.

Genesis 3:4-6 — “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

The chief of the fallen angels, the devil, deceived Adam and Eve and tempted them to sin.

3. WHY IS SIN SO STRONG?

Genesis 5:3 — Adam had a son in his own likeness, in his own image.

John 3:6 — Flesh gives birth to flesh.

Adam’s children were born sinners, just like their father.

Genesis 8:21 — Every inclination of his [man’s] heart is evil from childhood.

Romans 8:7 — The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

1 Corinthians 2:14 — The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.

Romans 3:23 — For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Matthew 15:19 — For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

All men by nature close their hearts to God. It is natural for them to do the things that God hates.

4. WHAT IS MEANT BY SIN?

John 3:4 — Sin is lawlessness.

Exodus 20:4 — You shall not make for yourself an idol.

Exodus 32:1,7 — The people gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.”

Matthew 5:22 — But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

Matthew 5:28 — But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has  already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 6:15 — But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Isaiah 59:2 — But your iniquities have separated you from your God.

Sin is disobeying God’s law. Sin causes a separation between God and man.

 

5. WHAT IS GOD’S REACTION TO MAN’S SIN?

Genesis 3:19 — For dust you are, and to dust you will return.

Romans 5:12 — Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.

Galatians 3:10 — Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.

Matthew 25:41 — Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 7:21-23 — Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.”

Since all men became sinners, all must die and be damned.

SUMMARY: Without Jesus we are damned, for we have sinned against God and have earned his punishment. God makes the rules of right and wrong. He seriously demands that we follow rules. But that isn’t possible. When Satan led Adam and Eve into the first sin, human nature was corrupted so completely that children inherit this corruption from their parents. They imitate their parents’ sin, not only because they see their parents’ example, but also because it is now a part of human nature. However, God does not excuse us for that reason. He still demands obedience that our sinful nature cannot supply. Therefore, he places death and damnation upon all who disobey him. And because we have disobeyed him, we have earned that punishment. Jesus alone can save us from that.

QUICKIE QUIZ (T or F)

  1. ___ Satan and his angels were created by God.
  2. ___ Satan is a real person.
  3. ___ Although children learn bad-habits from others, basically they are good and want to do what is right.
  4. ___ No one has ever lived without sinning against God.
  5. ___ What was wrong years ago is not necessarily wrong today.
  6. ___ God is not angry if we sin accidentally.
  7. ___ God is not fair if he punishes good people for their sins.
  8. ___ God is too kind to send anyone to hell.
  9. ___ We all deserve to be damned.
  10. ___ God forgives people when they try to do better.

 

WHERE DOES THE BIBLE SAY

  1. that the devils used to be angels?

    2 Peter 2:4 — God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell.

  2. that children are born sinful?

    Genesis 8:21 — Every inclination of his [man’s] heart is evil from childhood.

  3. that anger is a sin?

    Matthew 5:22 — But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

  4. that no one is good enough for heaven?

    Romans 3:23 — For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

  5. that God damns those who disobey him?

    Matthew 25:41 — Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

For more information you can watch this lesson presented as a Bible study HERE.  Please click HERE to find the complete series of Bible studies.

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