of the ivy. But for many years, the ivy was allowed to grow unchecked and its coils grew and entwined themselves around the trunks and branches of the trees. Serpent-like, the ivy surrounded and gradually killed the trees on which it was allowed to grow.

What lesson regarding sin can be learned from this illustration?

Death

Sin is always a very serious matter, and it is always taken seriously by God. Sin is not only a transgression of God's law but it also is rebellion against the Lawgiver. It is an affront to God's righteousness and holiness. Therefore God will always righteously punish sin. Throughout the Bible God continually warns us of the terrible consequences of sin - for sin results in death, and death means separation - separation of man's soul from its body and from God. Already in Paradise, God warned man, "For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17b).

The death God spoke of is a three-fold death.

1. Corporal (physical, bodily, or temporal) death

2. Spiritual death

3. Eternal death

Corporal death is the death of a person's body. When corporal death occurs, a person's soul and body separate. The body is buried and returns to the ground, but his soul returns to God who judges and sends it to heaven or hell.

Man was not created to die; it is unnatural. Corporal death is the result of our sin.

Jesus Christ has passed through and conquered death and the grave for His people. Therefore death has become a passageway to eternal life for the souls of all true believers. While some of God's children receive more faith than others to clearly see this when dying, all shall be safely brought through death into eternal life. This truth caused Paul to testify, "0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:55-57).