Results of sin

a) Separation from God. The Bible says, "Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." Isaiah Ch. 59:2 God cannot look upon sinful men and women and be pleased with them. The close fellowship Adam had with God was immediately broken when he sinned. God is a holy God, and we only see our sins properly when we see them in comparison to God's holiness. Therefore, sin drives a wedge between God and us. God cannot have fellowship with us until that wedge has been taken away.
 
Just as a dark cloud in the sky blocks out light from the sun, so the light from the Son of God is blocked out by our sin. This separation, unfortunately, lasts beyond this life, for if nothing is done about it, it will separate us from God forever.
 
b) Guilty before God. Jesus tells us what the work of the Holy Spirit will be when He comes, "When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement" John Ch. 16:8. The Psalmist said, "My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden to heavy to bear." Psalm 38:4. In society, as soon as someone commits a crime he becomes guilty, and if apprehended by the police and brought to court he is condemned, and the judge pronounces punishment. The same is true spiritually, when we commit sin, we are guilty and come under condemnation, and face judgement and punishment. Scripture makes it clear that the punishment for sin is very severe and everlasting.
 
c) We are helpless. We are powerless to remove sin from our lives. No matter how hard we try we cannot keep God's law, we fail by deed, attitude or omission. And even if we were able to reform our lives for the future, the past sins have to be dealt with, and we are powerless to remove the condemnation that is upon them.
 
If someone falls into a deep hole in the ground, no matter how desperately he may work and struggle to climb out he is unsuccessful, but if a friend comes with a rope or long ladder he will be able to get out. Similarly, no matter how desperately we work or struggle we cannot free ourselves from the punishment and consequences of sin by our own efforts, we are helpless. We need the help of the Lord Jesus who has not fallen into sin to rescue us.