We Are Born Destined for Hell

The Urgent Truth of Our Condition

Introduction

We live in a world that prefers comfort over truth. Phrases like “follow your heart,” “people are basically good,” or “everyone goes to Heaven” are popular, but they are dangerously false. The Bible paints a much more sobering picture of humanity’s condition. Every one of us—without exception—is born into sin, spiritually dead, and destined for Hell. It’s not an easy truth, but it’s a necessary one. Because only when we understand the depth of our problem can we begin to appreciate the glory of God’s solution.

Scripture is very clear when it states that not everyone will go to heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14,

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

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I. The Origin of the Problem: Sin Entered Through One Man

Our problem didn’t start with us. It started with Adam.

Romans 5:12 tells us,

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—”

In the Garden of Eden, Adam disobeyed the command of God and brought sin into the world. As our representative, his guilt became our guilt. This is known as original sin—the inherited corruption and condemnation passed down to every human being. Like a virus inherited genetically, the “sin nature” is passed from Adam to all his descendants. We are born infected.

David says in Psalm 51:5,

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.”

Sin did not enter the human experience as a single act alone, but as a deep-rooted inclination that now defines human nature. Through Adam’s initial act of disobedience, he acquired a sinful nature that has since been transmitted to all his descendants. From the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5), this fallen condition is present, rendering humanity incapable of living in a manner that truly honors God. Satan is identified as the father of sin in 1 John 3:8,

“The one who does sin is of the devil, because the devil sins from the beginning. The Son of God was manifested for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”

Satan introduced temptation to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1–7). Because Adam represented all of humanity, his transgression was, in effect, a collective act. Romans 5:18 says,

“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”

His disobedience corrupted his nature, brought about spiritual death, and passed down moral corruption to all who would come after him (Psalm 51:5).

Before Adam sinned, death was not part of the human condition. But his rebellion ensured that death would become an unavoidable reality for him and his offspring. Scripture describes death in three distinct ways:

• Spiritual death, or estrangement from God. Ephesians 2:1–2 says,

“And you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,”

Also reference Ephesians 4:18.

• Physical death. Hebrews 9:27 says,

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,”

• Eternal death—referred to as the “second death”—which is characterized by everlasting separation from God and unending punishment in the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11–15 says,

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sits upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. Then I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The phrase “because all sinned” points to the fact that all human beings, having descended from Adam, inherit both his guilt and his fallen nature. As inheritors, we all have the sin virus. Therefore, people are not classified as sinners because they commit sinful acts; rather, they commit sins because their nature is already corrupted by sin.

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II. The Total Depravity of Mankind

A preacher once summarized, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”

Sin affects every part of our being—our thoughts, desires, motives, and actions. This is the doctrine of total depravity. It doesn’t mean we are as evil as we could possibly be, but that every part of our nature is corrupted by sin. Re-read Ephesians 2:1-2 above.

Dead people don’t seek help. They don’t respond. They don’t choose life. Spiritually speaking, we are lifeless without divine intervention. Romans 3:11 adds,

“THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;”

Note: In the Legacy Standard Bible, capitalized text in the New Testament typically indicates a direct quotation from the Old Testament, following the translation tradition of the NASB.

Left to ourselves, we don’t look for God—we run from Him. Even our good deeds are tainted. Isaiah 64:6 declares,

“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, carry us away.”

This is a dire diagnosis. We are helpless, hopeless, and hostile to God. Since we can’t climb our way to God, salvation must come from outside ourselves.

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III. God’s Sovereign Election and Predestination

Predestination is God’s foreordination of persons to a particular end, most commonly to a particular eternal destiny. Predestination is not about excluding innocent people; it’s about rescuing guilty people who would otherwise never choose God.

If salvation depended on us, none would be saved. But God, in His mercy, chose to rescue a people for Himself—not because of anything they did, but because of His divine will and purpose.

Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us,

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love, by predestining us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”

Romans 9:15-16 affirms,

“So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who runs, but on God who has mercy.”

God doesn’t look into the future to see who would choose Him. If He did, He would see no one choosing Him. His choice is not based on foreseen faith—it is based on His sovereign grace.

This doctrine humbles the proud and exalts the mercy of God.

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IV. Salvation Is by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone

Though we are born destined for Hell, God has made a way of escape. That way is not through religion, morality, or good works—but through the finished work of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul in his epistle (letter) to the Ephesians in Ephesians 2:8-9 proclaims,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast.”

Titus 3:5 adds,

“He saved us, not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”

Jesus is often quoted in John 3:16 –

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

You might see “John 3:16” signs at football games, but to understand Jesus’ full message, we must also read verses 17-18.

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Christ is not just a helper—He is a Rescuer. He took the punishment we deserved, so that we could receive the righteousness we never earned. When Christ took our sins and placed them upon Himself on the cross, He clothed us with his righteousness, not by anything we have done or ever could do, but by what He has done on the cross.

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V. The Reality of Hell for the Unsaved

Many preachers avoid the topic of Hell for fear that people will not return to their church, but Jesus didn’t avoid the topic of Hell. He spoke about Hell more than Heaven—not to terrify, but to warn and save.

Matthew 25:41 declares,

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;”

Revelation 20:15 warns,

“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

2 Thessalonians 1:9 says,

“These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might,”

Hell is not a metaphor. It is not temporary. It is the eternal consequence for rejecting the only Savior who can rescue us from sin.

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VI. God’s Purpose: His Glory in Salvation and Judgment

Why would God choose to save some and not all? Why not just save everyone?

Romans 9:22-23 offers this perspective:

“And what if God, wanting to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath having been prepared for destruction, and in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory – ”

This verse speaks to the magnificence of God’s character as revealed most clearly through the grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness He extends to sinners through Christ. The ‘vessels of mercy’ are those whom God has sovereignly chosen for salvation—individuals He prepared in advance, highlighting the doctrine of divine election. Only a remnant of Israel will survive God’s wrath, and that will be solely because of His mercy.

God is glorified not only in showing mercy but also in displaying His justice. Heaven shows the depth of His grace. Hell shows the seriousness of His holiness.

Every person—saved or unsaved—will ultimately glorify God, either through worship or through judgment.

Philippians 2:10-11 reminds us,

“so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

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VII. The Gospel Call: Repent and Believe

Even though God is sovereign, He still commands all people everywhere to repent.

Acts 17:30-31 says,

“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He determined, having furnished proof to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Mark 1:15:

“and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Romans 10:13:

for “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

If you feel the weight of your sin and the fear of eternal judgment—don’t delay. That is not your own conscience. It may well be the Holy Spirit awakening your soul if you have not already been saved.

Do not harden your heart. Today may be the day God is calling you. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now before it’s too late, for there are no second chances to accept Him after you die.

If you are reading this message today, do not harden your heart. You are not beyond hope. The very fact that you read this may be the evidence that God is drawing you.

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Conclusion

We began with a hard truth: we are all born destined for Hell. That is the reality of our sinful inheritance. But we end with glorious hope: God, rich in mercy, has provided salvation for His chosen people through Jesus Christ.

Recap:

• Adam’s sin condemned us.
• Our nature is depraved.
• God sovereignly chooses whom to save.
• Salvation is by grace, not works.
• Hell is real and eternal.
• God is glorified in all things.
• Today could be your day of salvation.

Let me close with one final word from 2 Corinthians 6:2 –

for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—

Regarding “salvation”, a preacher once said:

• In the Old Testament, salvation is prepared.
• In the Gospels, the New Testament, salvation is effected.
• In the Book of Acts, salvation is preached.
• In the Epistles (letters to the church), salvation is explained.
• And in Revelation, salvation is fulfilled.

We were born destined for Hell—but by God’s grace, we don’t have to stay on that path. Repent. Believe. Be saved.

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