Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

B. The separation from God caused by sin means that human beings are lost.

Human beings are no longer where they are supposed to be but have wandered away from God like lost sheep. In Luke 15, Jesus described the human condition that resulted from sin completely in terms of lostness. He tells stories in which human beings are said to be like a:

1. Lost son

2. Lost sheep

1

3. Lost coin

Luke 19.10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

C. The three consequences of separation from God are death, bondage, and judgment.

1. Because God is the source of all life, this lostness/separation caused by sin has the consequence of death as the story of Adam and Eve makes clear.

a. Gen. 2.16-17

b. Luke 15.24

c. See also Rom. 5.12, Eph. 2.1

2. Because God is the source of freedom and protection, our lostness/separation from him leads to our enslavement by sin and the devil.