Question:
"Why did the rich man go to hell? What grave sin did he commit?"
Answer:
James 2:10
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For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
The very FIRST sin as an adult when he was accountable to God.
Even though there are degrees of sin pointed out from Genesis to Revelation, it only takes ONE sin to bring a man or woman under the wrath of the just and holy God . He was as guilty as if he committed all sins.
Think about that. You don't have to commit a terrible crime to go to be with the rich man.
Some say that you have to "turn from sins" and not "practice sin." This is Not a biblical doctrine. God does not grade on a curve and give those who get at least a "D" on the exam a pass. Every one of us have practiced sin and are pretty good at it.
"What grave sin?..."
You failed with the first sin.
The rich man man failed.
Why? Because he was covetous?
No, that wasn't his only sin anymore than those who read this statement.
The fact of the matter is that we ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Even though Lazarus is not described as to why he is saved, certainly not for being a begger. Likewise being handicapped doesn't bring about auto-salvation.
We can look at literally 100 places in the gospel of John and know how he was saved from that torment that the rich man was condemned to.
Let's face it, we are all condemned regardless of how good or bad we see ourselves.
That's why we, just like Lazarus, needed to see his need for the Savior. We all need to change our minds from "I'm good enough and am a good person to "I am condemned and in need of the Savior."
He offers kindness, but it is undeserved by us.
He paid it all, so unless you have always been perfect, you have nothing to give or trust in,. EXCEPT the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rich have a hard time trusting in Him. They have a tendency to be self righteous, trusting in their riches.
Here's just one example. Jesus is speaking to a highly esteemed Pharisee, Nicodemus. Nicodemus' denomination taught that salvation was earned by keeping the law, obeying the commandments. Today people would say, "turning from your sins."
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John the Baptist backed up the Lord's message in the same chapter.
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He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
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