Catechism Question 17
What then is the effect of God’s judgment upon our fallen condition?
In our fallen condition we have lost fellowship with God, His creation, and one another, and brought His just anger and curse upon ourselves. As a result, we are subject to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are discussing how God punishes sin. In question 16 we saw the fact that God of necessity must punish sin; here we learn how He does this, both now and in eternity. This judgment on sin works itself out in several ways.
First, note how sin has ruptured our relationships with God, creation, and one another. Each of us is at war with God, the earth, and each other. This is the result of sin. God has punished our willful rebellion by allowing sin to have its effect, which has been devastating. This is the curse that has come upon us because of the fall, producing the many miseries we observe and experience throughout this life.
Second, God punishes our sin by death. We were created to live – not to die. Yet, because of sin, all of us will die. Our bodies will wear out and perish. There is no escaping this judgment of God upon the sin of humanity.
Finally, after death sin will be judged by the pains of hell, which last forever. The punishment of sin does not end in death; it will continue in hell – unless we are rescued.
Additional Questions:
What are the effects of sin?
How do we see the effects of God’s judgment?
What is our misery from sin?
How does sin affect us?
What bad things have happened because of the fall?
Scripture References:
Genesis 3:8
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:11-13
And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me–she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:16-19
To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” 17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Titus 3:3
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Galatians 3:10
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hebrews 9:27
Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.
Revelation 20:12-15
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why did Adam and Eve hide from God in Genesis 3:8? Does sin separate us from God?
What effects of the fall did God announce in Genesis 3:16-19? How do you see evidence of these effects in the world today?
When God asked Adam if he had eaten the forbidden fruit, why did Adam blame Eve? (See Genesis 3:11-13). How does sin damage our relationships with other people?
What did God say the punishment for sin would be in Genesis 2:16-17? Has this come to pass? Do you think it refers only to physical death at the end of this life, or does it include spiritual death/separation from God – now and in eternity?
Does God’s judgment and punishment of our sin end with our physical death? How does the Bible describe God’s judgment and punishment of our sin in eternity?
Why would God punish our sins for eternity? Why wouldn’t they stop at physical death? What does this say about the terrible nature of our sin and the utter holiness of God?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 19 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 16 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “The Consequences of the Fall on Mankind” (April 22, 2007), and “Preparing for the Judgment” (September 23, 2007).
Suggested Worship Song:
Just As I am Without One Plea (by Charlotte Elliott – 1835)
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.