WE COME NOW to the crux of the problem: Can the soul sin so that it actually does die? The Scripture says it can: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek. 18:20 KJV ). Does that mean what it says? Can it die eternally? Can it render itself unfit to survive? Can the spark go out?
The word for “iniquity” in the Greek is amartia, “missing the mark.” If the soul misses the mark—misses the mark of his life, Jesus his Lord—by deliberate, willful sinning, does he, like a missile, go into outer darkness and burn himself out? Would that be the kindest thing the universe could do—to let him do it—since he in willful sinning would be a torment to himself and others? The continuously sinning soul could not be taken to heaven, for it wouldn’t be heaven to him; none of his desires could be fulfilled there. It would be hell to him. If he were there long he would turn heaven into hell. There is simply no alternative except to let the rebellious soul burn himself out.
Would grace follow that soul clear to the end? When the last spark would go out would there be a teardrop on the cheek of grace? Yes, and there would be a sigh upon the lips of grace, “You would not.”
Someone has said that in heaven the redeemed gladly say to God, “Thy will be done.” In hell God sadly says to the unredeemed, “Thy will be done.” God doesn’t send any man to hell; the soul sends itself, with God blocking the way at every step and reminding it, by the pangs that sin brings, of the ultimate outcome—death.
O God, my Savior and Redeemer, Thy proddings in conscience are not our punishment—they are our redemption. They are Thy love saying, “Don’t.” So the pangs are Thy redemption in action. Help us to hear and heed. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: God’s laws are the thick hedge along the precipice of life to keep us from destroying ourselves.
