The Wages of Sin.

     When sin entered the world through Adam, death also came with it (Genesis 2:17, Romans 5:12). It was never God's intention for man to face death, but now as a result of sin Physical death comes to us all (Genesis 3:19). 
     Sin also brought with it spiritual death. God told Adam that on the day he ate of the forbidden tree he would die, but we see in Genesis that he along  with his wife, lived on for years. 
     What happened that day is this; they died spiritually. They once enjoyed fellowship in God's presence. Now they were driven from the garden that God created for them (Genesis 3:22-24). The relationship that they enjoyed with God was gone. Their hearts were no longer clean, but were defiled instead. the innocence that they once had was replaced with guilt and shame (Genesis 3:7-11). 
     Likewise, Paul says that we too, apart from Christ, are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-2). We are separated from God, with no hope in this world (Ephesians 2:12). This is our state. It is one of depravity, filled with all manner of wickedness. Paul gives a good description of what it is like to be left to oneself, growing more and more evil, in Romans 1:18-32. Take the time to read this portion of scripture, and let it sink in.
     God's wrath will be revealed against such evil! The following scriptures show that God is filled with wrath toward the wicked (Romans 1:18, Ephesians 2:3, Col 3:5-6, 2 Thess 1:8-9, 2 Peter 3:7, Rev 19:15). He will not always put up with sin. A day is coming when the wages will be paid.
     The scriptures plainly declare that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Nothing immoral or impure will be allowed to enter in. There will be no liars, sexually immoral, idolaters, murderers, thieves, covetous individuals, drunkards, heretics, divisive and quarrelsome people allowed entrance into God's kingdom (1 Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 5:5-6, Rev 21:7-8, 27, 22:14-15). This is not my idea, this is the plain teaching of scripture. Paul says do not let anyone deceive you with empty words (Eph 5:6)!
     Jesus spoke often of hell and torment. He warned people to take care that they did not end up there. He was not speaking here of physical death and the grave, as some people would like to believe. Just read these passages and you will see that He is speaking of something beyond physical death. He is speaking of everlasting torment, of being physically dead, but the soul being alive for eternity in anguish (Matthew 5:29-30, 10:28, 13:41-42, 18:8-10, Mark 9:43-48, Luke 12:4-5, 16:22-31). Once again, carefully read these passages and let the words of Christ sink in. This is real.
     Ultimately those who live a wicked life here on this earth will face the second death, the lake of fire (Rev 20:14). This will be a fate too horrible to imagine. The wages of sin are indeed death. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).