Chapter 6: The Effects of Sin and Biblical Covenants

IN THIS CHAPTER, you will discover:

·   The effects of sin.
·   The difference between original and actual sin.
·   The background of the five Old Testament covenants.
·   The background of the new covenant with Jesus Christ.

AS A RESULT, you will be able to:

·   Discern the results of sin in your relationship with God and others.
·   Relate the sin of Adam and Eve with the sin in your own life.
·   Define covenant and tell why God made covenants with humanity.
·   Know the components of God's new covenant with you.

Key Scripture: "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done" (Rom. 1:28).

The entrance of sin into the human race brought tragic results. In this lesson we will consider three lasting effects of sin: 1) the futility of mind and action 2) guilt and punishment 3) separation, estrangement, and bondage.

After eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened. What they saw was their own nakedness, not the knowledge promised by the serpent. Confusion and darkness had thus entered their minds. Paul chronicles the degeneration of humanity in Romans 1. The first step was that "their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened" (v. 21).

An initial consequence of sin's blindness was that the Worship of idols became prevalent. Paul states: "They became tools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mages made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles" (v. 22-23). Archaeological excavations worldwide confirm the pervasiveness of idol worship. The Bible records how Israel, in spite of commandments not to worship other gods or make idols, over and over fell into idolatry. Because of the influence of Christianity, the worship of wooden and stone idols is largely gone in the Western world. However, modern man has created other idols. The idol of intellectualism exalts wisdom and knowledge. People worship themselves in the atheistic religion of secular humanism. Through reason and intelligence they become their own savior. The idol of politics exalts political systems - Marxism, socialism, even capitalism - as the total answer to humanity's problems. The idol of hedonism exalts the human body and physical gratification. Such philosophies claim to be wise, but the Bible declares they are foolish. That these new idols hold such an influence in our world shows the ability of modern thinking.

A sin that accomIdolatry is immorality. Paul continues: "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their heart to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another" (v. 24). In the Old Testament sexual perversion went hand-in-hand with idol worship. Male and female prostitutes performed degrading acts with the worshipers right in the temples! God's model of marriage for man and woman was abandoned for promiscuity and illicit sex. In Romans 1:26-27, Paul describes the perversion of lesbianism and homosexuality. Contrary to some modern interpretations in the church, Paul's statement does not reflect homophobia, cultural bias, or a misinterpretation of the sin of Sodom. Rather, he declares the mind of the holy God regarding these abominations. Such perversions result from idolatry. We see in our society the consequences of turning away from the worship of the true God; adultery, fornication, and homosexuality abound. Futility of mind and action characterizes our world.

The second effect of Adam and Eve's sin was guilt and punishment. After eating the forbidden fruit, they suddenly became aware of their nakedness and were ashamed (Gen. 3:7). Their feelings of guilt signified an awareness of their wrongdoing. Man's harmonious relationship with God was disrupted. Adam and Eve betrayed the God of love and holiness. They had also violated God's commandment not to eat. These two - personal relationship and commandment - strike at the heart of humanity's offense against God.

God delivered His commandments in three ways: 1) the Ten Commandments, 2) the Sermon on the Mount, and 3) natural law. Regarding the misuse of His name (Commandment Three), God "will not hold anyone guiltless…..." (Ex. 20:7). So it is with His other commandments and decrees. To violate them is to incur guilt. The Sermon on the Mount expands God's requirements to include purity of thought and word. Humanity's deepest guilt does not result from an outward act. Rather, it comes from an angry word or a lustful thought. People also violate the natural law written upon their hearts. Even those who have never heard the Ten Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount have a knowledge of God's righteousness in their conscience.

Humanity's guilt then is universal. Although guilt may be minimal, people can never escape the voice of God's righteousness. Adam and Eve hid after discovering their nakedness. When God came to fellowship with them, He discovered their sin. Immediately, He punished Adam and Eve as well as the serpent for the transgression. Of the punishments assigned, physical death was the severest. Man had forfeited the tree of life; he would now return to the dust from which he was created. Throughout the Bible sin inevitably resulted in God's punishment. His punishment may be immediate or delayed for years, but it will come. Whether the sin is against God or your neighbor, both bring judgment. We can also sin against our own bodies, bringing disease and debilitation to our physical and mental capacities. Paul's axiom in Galatians 6:7-8 stands as a warning to us: "A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction."

Eternal death is the fierce punishment for sin. Hell is not a metaphor for an inferior quality of life. It is a terrible reality prepared for those who disobey God. On a final Judgment Day the righteous and holy God will separate the just from the unjust. We must heed the warnings of Jesus and Paul to prepare ourselves, lest we too should be condemned unto eternal death.

The final effects of sin are separation, estrangement, and bondage. Adam and Eve were displaced from the garden, following their sin and prevented from reentering it. This separation from God resulted in spiritual death. Sin, with its subsequent separation from God, is unfortunately seen throughout both biblical and world history. Sin also brought estrangement between people. Cain cried out about Abel after murdering him, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen. 4:9). Again, violence and hatred characterize human interrelationship. War is a frequent occurrence in the history of nations. Granted, there is still much good in humanity due to God's common grace. Yet so often the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31) goes unfulfilled.

Humanity cannot by itself restore the relationship with God and others. Bondage to sin prevents such reconciliation. Human freedom, as given by God in the garden, is forever lost. People mistakenly believe that freedom is to escape from God and His commandments. The reverse is true. Only by turning to God can we gain true freedom from sin. Unbelievers, Paul writes, "are slaves to sin, which leads to death" (Rom. 6:16). Satan has thus enslaved humanity. Because of sin, humanity is in a hopeless situation.

Personal Application: Consider what eternal punishment in hell must be like. Does the possibility of such punishment affect your relationship with God?

Group Appljcation: Discuss the downward spiral of humanity discussed by Paul in Romans 1:18-32. Review the discussion of this passage in The International Bible Commentary, pp. 1319-20.

Key Scripture: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).

Key Words: Original Sin, Actual Sin

What is the relationship of Adam and Eve's sin and all sin that followed? This lesson shows that there is a close connection. Our Key Scripture notes the universality of sin. The Bible, as well as human experience, testifies to the truth of this statement. People have a predisposition to sin. It is a way of life into which we are born. Like a child born to a chemically dependent mother, we are born addicted to sin. It is already part of our nature before we can commit sinful acts. Thus a new birth is necessary when we become old enough to understand our need for salvation. The old self, which is spiritually dead, must be reborn and not just reformed.

Our sinful state can be traced to the actions of Adam. Because of him, Paul writes that "the many died" (Rom. 5:15) and "death reigned" (v. 17). His sin, according to Paul, also "brought condemnation" (v. 16). Sin and condemnation are the spiritual genes we inherit from our father Adam. God did not make us sinful. Our sinfulness results from our corporate identity with Adam. We were in Adam when he fell; when he sinned, we sinned. His condemnation is also ours, with the sin nature of Adam becoming our sin nature.

Humanity thus has solidarity with Adam. Such solidarity is important to note, because we can also have solidarity with the second Adam, Jesus Christ. One gives solidarity with sin; the other offers solidarity with righteousness. We also have solidarity with other people, sharing in humanity's sins. We thus reap the consequences of our collective transgressions. Planet Earth can spiritually be called "Planet Sin."

Up to this point our discussion has focused on original sin, meaning the human race is sinful by nature. God did not originally make man sinful; rather, he became sinful. Thus people are not born innocent and sinless, but are already affected by sin in all areas. Their only hope is salvation through Jesus Christ. Some theologians suggest that only in Paul's writings is the doctrine of original sin found. Such is not the case. The entire Bible, both implicitly and explicitly, presents the case concerning humanity's sin. How else could a people created good by God be so universally pervaded by sin? Only through the fall of Adam and the subsequent transmission of sin can we account for such consequences. Scripture concludes that original sin is responsible.

Although man is a sinner by nature, he also becomes one by action. The willful act of disobedience to God's commands is called actual sin. Though such acts arise from original sin, they are not the necessary result. Man paradoxically is unable not to sin, yet he also willfully sins. Death is the inevitable result of disobedience to God's commandments.

What Adam did, humanity willfully does by unconscious imitation. We have examined at length the description by Paul in Romans 1 of humanity's sinful decline. Paul does not blame Adam for the sins described here. Rather, humanity of its own free will has turned aside from God to commit such evil deeds. Paul never excuses man's actual sins because of original sin. We are never justified in saying, "Adam made me do it."

God judges us as individuals solely on our actual sins. Original sin never undercuts human responsibility. God holds us accountable for turning away from Him and unto unrighteousness. Sin is an ongoing condition with people. It is a spiritual virus that spreads unchecked except for Jesus Christ. The picture painted in these last lessons is not a pretty one, for the exposure of sin is not pleasant. Yet it is a necessary exercise to prepare us for the gospel. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by calling for repentance of sin. With the coming of the Holy Spirit, "he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16:8). This work of the Holy Spirit is often overlooked when a truncated gospel is preached. The good news is repent and believe. Like the tax collector who prayed at the temple, we too need to cry unto God, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13).

Personal Application: When did you realize you were a sinner before God? Is repentance from sin an ongoing practice in your Christian life?

Group Application: Discuss the relationship between original and actual sin. For another biblical illustration of corporate identity, read the account of Melchizedek and Levi in Hebrews 7.1-10.

Key Scripture: "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you" (Gen. 17:7).

Key Words: Covenant, Proto-evangelion

Covenant is a distinctive biblical term, centering on humanity's relationship with God. "Testament" is the King James word for covenant. The Bible is thus divided into the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. A covenant is a formal and binding agreement between two parties. Today we call such an agreement a contract. A contract between nations is a treaty, which must be ratified by both parties. Biblical covenants also required ratification. At some future time there is the fulfillment of the covenant. Then the parties receive the benefits of the agreement.

In the Bible both human and divine covenants are mentioned. Our study will center on divine covenants. A divine covenant is one-sided: God makes it with man, establishing the parties, promises, ratification, obligation, and fulfillment. Some divine covenants require no human response; others require man's obedient action. But all of God's covenants contain a promise of blessing. Let us examine the subject of covenant in Scripture.

God's first covenant was with Adam. Although the word "covenant" is not found in Genesis 2, certainly it is implied. The parties of the covenant are God and Adam. Since Adam is representative man for all humanity, the scope of the covenant is universal. The promise that God gave to Adam was eternal life. There was no ratification. The only obligation was that Adam obey God's command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve disobeyed by eating of the tree, and thus introduced death into the world. In spite of this failure, God will surely fulfill His covenant. Genesis 3:15 is called the proto-evangelion, because it is the first good news of a Messiah to be born of a woman who would crush the serpent. Jesus defeated Satan at the cross, bringing eternal life to those who believe in Him.

The fulfillment of God's promise is the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:3-4).

The second Old Testament covenant was with Noah. God decided to destroy its inhabitants because of the great wickedness on the earth, Only Adam, his family, and the animals would be spared. The parties were thus Noah, his descendants, and all living creatures. The promise of God was never again to destroy the earth with a flood. The rainbow is a perpetual ratification of this promise. There is no obligation on man's part; God alone upholds the covenant. There is constant fulfillment of the covenant as rains fall but never flood the entire earth again.

The covenant with Abraham shows God choosing a man and his family to establish a nation dedicated to Himself. The parties were God and Abraham. God later renewed the covenant with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. The promise to Abraham was threefold: 1) a multiplicity of descendants; 2) a land, both physical and spiritual; and 3) spiritual blessing. The ratification of the covenant occurred as God's personal presence passed through the parts of sacrificed animals with a smoking firepot and a flaming torch.

Abraham's only obligation was to circumcise himself and his household. Circumcision was to be a perpetual sign of the covenant with Abraham's descendants. The fulfillment of the covenant was also threefold. First, the physical descendants of Abraham are Israel while his spiritual descendants are the church. Second, the land of Canaan was given to the Jews as their homeland. Heaven is the spiritual home promised to his spiritual offspring. (See the Excursus on pages 287-88 of RT regarding present-day Israel's relationship to this covenant.) Finally, Abraham's seed, which was to bless all people, was Jesus Christ. Paul in Galatians 3:16 affirms this fact: "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed...…meaning one person, who is Christ." Through Jesus Christ all people, whether Jew or Gentile, can now receive the blessings of Abraham.

The covenant with Israel, called the old covenant, is the primary Old Testament covenant. It is also called the Mosaic covenant because Moses was its mediator, or the Sinaitic because it was given at Mount Sinai. God and the people of Israel were the parties of the covenant. God's promises were twofold: 1) Israel was to be a special people unto God, and 2) she was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Israel's obligation was to obey the terms of the covenant, summarized in the Ten Commandments. The ratification of the covenant came when Moses sprinkled the blood of sacrificed animals on the altar and the people. God never broke His side of the covenant. Israel, however, repeatedly disobeyed God's laws. Yet God in Hhis great love remained faithful to His people. God's judgment finally fell in 586 B.C. when Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah was sent into exile. The fulfillment occurred seventy years later when God brought His people back to the promised land. Israel, however, could never meet the demands of the old covenant. Under the new and better covenant to come, a new Israel would be unveiled, composed of people from all races and nations.

The final Old Testament covenant is the covenant with David. God and David were the parties. The promise was to be an everlasting kingship. A descendant of David would always rule Israel. God Himself was its ratification. David had no obligation to fulfill. Neither Solomon nor his descendants, no matter how wicked, could void its terms. The fulfillment of the covenant came through his dynasty. Whereas Israel was ruled by many royal families, Judah had only David and his descendants as kings. Jesus Christ was the supreme fulfillment of this covenant's promise. His lineage was of David through both Joseph and Mary. Jesus as the Son of God was also the King of Kings. His kingdom, unlike David's, is a spiritual one. It presently exists in the hearts of those who acknowledge His Lordship. Christ shall forever reign in the new heaven and new earth. As Luke declares, "The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end" (1:32-33).

Personal Application: What does the study of covenants teach you about God? Does God seem more trustworthy, dependable, and personal after this lesson?

Group Application: Compare a biblical covenant with a human covenant such as marriage. How are they similar, and how are they different?

Key Scripture: "In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you' " (Luke 22:20).

The final biblical covenant we will study is prophesied in the Old Testament and instituted in the New. It is the new covenant and has Jesus Christ as its focus. Jeremiah the prophet spoke of it: "The time is coming…when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah" (31 :31). The parties were the same as the Mosaic covenant - God and the Jewish people. Hebrews quotes this passage from Jeremiah in 8:8-12. The writer extends the parties in 9:15 to "those who are called" - both Jew and Gentile. Thus, the new covenant was with Israel according to the Spirit, not just Israel according to the flesh.

Using the language of Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8 and 9, let us note five promises of the new covenant. First, the law will be written on the hearts of His people. This contrasts with the law written on stone tablets of the old covenant. Ezekiel prophesied that God\'s people would be given a new heart, a new mind, and a new spirit (36:26). Such a new heart was necessary before the law of love could be inscribed. Second, God and His people would have a unique relationship. Like Israel, they would be a kingdom of priests. Yet this people would be obedient and keep God\'s covenant. Third, there would be a knowledge of God. Whereas Israel failed to know God, the people of the new covenant would intimately know God. Fourth, under the old covenant there could never be total forgiveness of sin, though animal sacrifices were repeatedly offered. Full forgiveness is promised in the new covenant, however. Fifth, an eternal inheritance is promised. Through the death of Jesus Christ, we now "may receive the promised eternal inheritance" (Heb. 9:15).

The ratification of the new covenant came through the blood of Jesus Christ. The blood of animal sacrifices was unable to take away sin under the old covenant. The blood of Jesus Christ, however, satisfied the righteous demands of God. At the Last Supper, Jesus stated this truth: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" - our Key Scripture. At the cross Jesus ratified the new covenant.

The new covenant has one obligation - faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews says that it is "those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (6:12). Faith is not a work we do to gain these blessings. Rather, it is simply believing in Christ's work at Calvary as the source of all spiritual blessing.

The fulfillment of God's promises in the new covenant is likewise fivefold. First, the Spirit of God fulfills the promise of the law within the heart. Like the Corinthians, we are Christ's letters written upon by "the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (2 Cor. 3:3). The Holy Spirit gives us a new heart at the new birth. We are born again, not physically, but spiritually. Second, we are a unique people of God. Peter, echoing the promise given to Israel in the old covenant, declares: "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God" (1 Peter 2:9). Paul outlines the former status of the Gentiles in Ephesians 2. They were "separate from Christ," "excluded from citizenship in Israel," and "foreigners to the covenants of the promise" (v. 12). But the Gentiles now "have been brought near through the blood of Christ" (v. 13). He describes the reconciliation of Jew and Gentile as one new people of God in verses 14-18. He concludes with this wonderful statement: "You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household" (v. 19). Thus the promise is fulfilled.

Third, we know God in a new and better way than the people of the old covenant. Jesus Christ became God in the flesh. The Gospels record the Lord's words and works. The Holy Spirit now lives in our hearts, giving us an ongoing presence of God. The Bible is an authoritative special revelation of God that constantly witnesses to God. Through these, we are blessed with a full knowledge of God. Fourth, our sins are fully forgiven in Christ. Jesus said that the purpose of the new covenant was "for the forgiveness of sins" (Matt. 28:28). Sin formerly prevented us from entering into God\'s presence. Now "we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Eph. 1:7).

Finally, the promise of eternal inheritance will be fulfilled after death. Paul, writing to Titus, speaks of "the hope of eternal life" (1:2). He continues: "Having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life" (3:7). This blessed hope is a promise yet to be realized. But as surely as God's other covenant promises have been fulfilled, we can be confident of our promised eternal home in heaven.

Personal Application: Which new covenant promise is the most meaningful to you? Besides eternal life, are there any promises that you feel are unfulfilled in your Christian life?

Group Application: Contrast the old and new covenants using the five covenantal components. How are the new covenant promises superior?