NEVER-ENDING DEATH
Romans 5:17
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
The word "death" is used three ways in Scripture. The first is what is known as physical death and refers only to the body -- when the spirit is separated from the body. This death comes as a result of Adam's sin.
The second is spiritual death which is separation from and rebellion against God. We inherit this nature also from Adam -- we are dead in our transgressions and sins. (Ephesians 2:1-2: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.")
The third is never-ending death which is eternal separation from God. I used the word "never-ending" as a synonym for "eternal" because I don't think mankind has the proper perspective on this death. Revelation 21:8: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
You might say: "Wait a minute, I'm not cowardly; I'm certainly not vile, a murderer, or sexually immoral. And I definitely don't practice magic arts." Really? Not a coward? What about when we see someone in need and turn the other way because we don't want to place our own personal security at risk? Not a murderer? What about when we murder a person's reputation by gossiping about him or her to others? We could debate this list for a really long time; however the clincher is "unbelief". You see never-ending (eternal) death is reserved for those who reject through unbelief "God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness" through Jesus Christ.
The second is spiritual death which is separation from and rebellion against God. We inherit this nature also from Adam -- we are dead in our transgressions and sins. (Ephesians 2:1-2: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.")
The third is never-ending death which is eternal separation from God. I used the word "never-ending" as a synonym for "eternal" because I don't think mankind has the proper perspective on this death. Revelation 21:8: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
You might say: "Wait a minute, I'm not cowardly; I'm certainly not vile, a murderer, or sexually immoral. And I definitely don't practice magic arts." Really? Not a coward? What about when we see someone in need and turn the other way because we don't want to place our own personal security at risk? Not a murderer? What about when we murder a person's reputation by gossiping about him or her to others? We could debate this list for a really long time; however the clincher is "unbelief". You see never-ending (eternal) death is reserved for those who reject through unbelief "God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness" through Jesus Christ.
We're all sinners of one type or another no matter how offensive that may be. And we all deserve punishment for our transgressions. But God has provided His grace, His righteousness in Jesus Christ. Take a moment right now and thank God for this amazing gift -- all we must do is receive Him!
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