Session 22: WCF Chapter VI - Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof, Sections 5&6

1 John 1:8,10 Romans 7:14,17,18,23 James 3:2 Proverbs 20:9 Ecclesiastes 7:20 Romans 7:5,7,8,25 Galatians 5:17

CHAPTER VI - Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof 5. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified; yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.

Two Errors Perfectionism – It is possible for a believer to attain a state of sinlessness in this life. (1 John 1:8,10). Antinomianism (or Libertinism) – (1) A believer is no longer bound to follow the law of Moses. (Romans 6:1-2) (2) The “old man” in Adam is the one who actually sins, and not the “new man” in Christ. (Romans 6:3-4,6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 3:9-10)

1 John 3:4 Romans 2:15 Romans 3:9,19 Ephesians 2:3 Galatians 3:10 Romans 6:23

Ephesians 4:18 Romans 8:20 Lamentations 3:39 Matthew 25:41 2 Thessalonians 1:9

CHAPTER VI - Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof 6. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, doth in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner, whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God, and curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all miseries spiritual, temporal, and eternal.

Original Sin vs. Actual Sin We were all conceived in original sin, which establishes our guilt. However, we also actually sin during our lives. Original sin differs from actual sin. The former is a state of corruption: “total depravity;” the latter is a life of transgressions. However, the latter arises from the former. Original sin renders us “without strength.” Actual sin causes us to wage constant war against God. Don’t think we’re better than those in Sodom and Gomorrah; God is delivering on His promise not to destroy the world again until the judgment day.

The Reprobate Mind The Regenerate Mind The outer remnants of man’s paradise nature The outer remnants of man’s fallen sinful nature The new center of man’s nature in Christ The new center of man’s fallen sinful nature The Reprobate Mind The Regenerate Mind Williamson, The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes, p. 67

The Bema vs. the Great White Throne The Bema Judgment: 2 Corinthians 5:10 The GWT Judgment: Revelation 20:11-15 Different judgments involving different groups of people: Bema is a reward judgment for believers GWT is a punishment judgment for nonbelievers Jesus Christ is the judge in both judgments

The Bema vs. the Great White Throne The Bema Judgment begins with a purging fire: bad works, “wood, hay and stubble,” are consumed good works, “gold, silver and precious stones,” survive Crowns are then rewarded according to the surviving good works: the Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), the Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:2-4), the Crown of Life (Revelation 2:10), the Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:25-27), and the Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

The Bema vs. the Great White Throne The GWT Judgment takes place before a great white throne on which the Lord Jesus Christ sits. For each person: the Book of Life is searched for the person’s name if the name is not found (Revelation 3:5), the Books of Works are searched for the person’s works, the works are judged, and the person is thrown into the Lake of Fire

Personal Personal Focus Focus

How do you deal with ongoing sin issues in your life?