The Fundamentals
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and in Gen. 8:21, “The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” The word rendered imagination in these passages signifies also the desires and purposes of the indi vidual. Therefore guilt lies in the desires and purposes as certainly as in the act. The common law requires that one shall have committed an overt act of violation before he can be adjudged guilty. But according to the Divine law one is guilty even though he never committed an overt act, since guilt lies in the desires and purposes of the heart. “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3 :15 ). “Whoso ever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5 :28 ). “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16: 7). Because of the “lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” every mouth is stopped and the whole world is guilty before God. (Rom. 3:19.) The Almighty and Sovereign Creator is infinite in holi ness. Therefore His “law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Sin is ruinous, heinous and damn ing: the most awful thing in the universe. (c) Consequences. Sin separates and estranges the sin ner from God; and he becomes an enemy of God by wicked works (Rom. 8 : 7 ) , has no peace (Isa. 57:21), no rest (Isa. 57:20), is polluted (Eph. 4:17-19), condemned (John 3 :18 ), and without hope (Eph. 2 :12 ) . Oh, the curse and ruin of sin! If unrepenting and unbelieving, the future has for him, first, inexorable and awful judgment. (See Matt. 25:30-46; Heb. 9:27 ; Jude 14, 15; Rev. 20:11-13; 22:11-15.) Second, the wrath of God. (See Ezra 8:22; Psa. 21:9; John 3 . 36; Rom. 1 : 18 ; 2 : 5 , 4:15; 5:9; 12:19; 13:4; Eph. 2 : 3 ; 5:6; Col. 3: 6 ; 1 Thess. 1:10; Rev. 6:16, 17; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15, etc.) And third, eternal torments. (See Psa. 11:6; Isa. 33:14; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 3:12; 22:11-13; 23:33; 25:41,
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