“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12)

Physical death is a type, or a witness, of spiritual death. When a person dies physically, he has no life; he is dead. So it is with spiritual death.

Our text verse alludes to Genesis 2:16-17:

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:” (Genesis 2:16)

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

Adam and Eve’s actual sin against God’s law is recorded in Genesis 3. Paul wrote in Romans 6:23a, “For the wages of sin is death…”

Many interpret this as physical death, and also with Romans 5:12. However, let’s examine closely God’s law to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17, especially 17b, “…for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Adam and Eve did not die physically “in the day” they ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, their subsequent actions, after their sin against God’s law, tell the story. Read Genesis 3:1-21, and note the entrance of the curse on woman, on the serpent, on plant life, and on man. Plus, you find Adam and Eve hiding from God, trying to cover up their nakedness, which reveals their spiritual death.

The truth of the matter is – sin is:

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4)

Sin is the overstepping of the law. Sin is rebellion against God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, the Tree of Life was then guarded; and Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden. They suffered physically; the Creation was under the curse, and so was man. Man was, from that moment on, “dead” (no spiritual light or life) in sins and trespasses.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2:1)

“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” (Ephesians 2:2)

“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3)

The hope for release from spiritual death is to have man’s sin debt atoned; which happened in Christ’s Atonement (Hebrews 2:14). Thereby the sinner is reconciled back to (brought back into focus with) God (Romans 3:24-25), and redeemed out of the bondage of sin. (See Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-20; 2:24; etc.) And thereby, he is justified and sanctified in the Atonement of Christ on the Cross as our Sacrifice, Substitute, and Savior.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10)

“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:11)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:24-25)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)

Therefore, on the basis of Christ’s Atonement on the Cross (which is Judicial Justification); the Holy Spirit brings this knowledge to the sinner by regeneration:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:14-16)

“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:5-6)

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” (Hebrews 2:14)

When Christ speaks life to the sinner (John 6:63); it brings them Godly sorrow, which worketh repentance, to reveal to the sinner Christ as their Savior. Then in time, the sinner is brought to confess Jesus Christ as Lord, Master, and Savior (John 6:44-45, 63; Ephesians 2:1, 8-9; Romans 10:9-10).

The sinner is no longer dead, but is alive in Christ; and has been raised to walk in newness of life, or in Christ (Romans 6:4).

Then the antidote for spiritual death is the Atonement of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:21-22); we are alive in Christ and have been raised from the dead to walk in newness of life. (See Romans 6:8-14; 8:1-16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-57.)

Because He lives, we live. He is Eternal Life Himself (1 John 5:20; 3:24; John 17:1-5).

Therefore, there is no fear in physical death for the saved man, for:

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:56)

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” (Hebrews 2:14)

“And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:15)

“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” (Hebrews 2:16)

“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)

For we that have been quickened and raised from the deadness of sins and trespasses are alive forever more (John 11:25). For we have received:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

Then physical death is an open door to be carried to the very Presence of God because we have been given the Life of God in Christ Jesus:

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)

Yes praise God, death (spiritual death) has been swallowed up in Victory – the Victory of our Resurrected Lord, as He paid the Ransom Price (which was Himself; 2 Corinthians 5:21); and Redeemed us and set us free.

Reader, do you fear physical death? Why do you fear physical death? You should only fear physical death if you die having not come to confess and rest in the finished Work of Christ on the Cross for sinners. For if you die in that condition, you will forever be separated from God, for all eternity.

But if you have come, by His Grace and Mercy, and by His Calling of you unto Himself; and you have confessed and walked in the same; then there is no fear in physical death for you.

See the martyr Stephen’s death (Acts 7:55-60); and even our Savior’s words, “Father, forgive them,” and then He cried, “It is finished.”