Even though God is sovereign, all people everywhere are accountable to him for everything they do, say or think.
People are responsible for their own sins
God is not responsible for human sin
Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:4 See also Job 19:4; Psalm 51:4–5; Jeremiah 31:30; Ezekiel 18:20, Ezekiel 33:1–20; Romans 6:23
Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.
Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
Death is the result of sin
Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23 See also Genesis 3:1–7; Isaiah 43:27; Ezekiel 18:4; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The law heightens human responsibility for sin
It brings knowledge of sin
Romans 5:20 Because the law brings knowledge of sin, it prevents people from claiming ignorance of the nature and seriousness of that sin. See also Romans 7:7–9; Galatians 3:19
The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
It applies not only to actions but also to words and thoughts
Matthew 5:22, Matthew 5:28 See also Jeremiah 17:9–10; Matthew 15:18–19
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
It brings judgment
Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36–37; 1 Corinthians 4:5 See also Job 15:5–6; Romans 2:16, Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 4:5; Jude 1:15
For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Ignorance does not remove responsibility
Leviticus 5:17 See also Luke 12:48; Acts 3:17–19; Romans 1:20
If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.
The responsibility of humanity to repent and believe
It is commanded by God
Acts 17:30 See also Ezekiel 18:30; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15, Mark 6:12; Luke 24:46–47
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
Jesus Christ's life and ministry heightens the responsibility to repent
John 3:18, John 15:22 See also Matthew 11:20–24, Matthew 12:41–42 parallel Luke 11:31–32; John 12:48
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.