Why is death the penalty for my sin?
The Bible teaches that death is separation, not termination. This is the penalty for man’s sin: spiritual separation from God in this life and in the life to come. Understanding God’s moral makeup sheds light on this issue of separation.
Sin must be expelled from His presence.
God’s moral character is so pure, anything less than moral perfection cannot survive in His presence. In fact, moral impurity is so foreign to God’s makeup, if it were to come into His presence, He would react like someone swallowing poison. He would vomit it up. This level of moral purity is foreign to us; yet, it explains why the consequence for man’s sin is separation. Sin cannot come into the presence of a holy God. He will spew it from His presence.
Sin must be judged by Him.
Society enforces the most severe penalty for the crime it deems the most offensive. In the same way, God enforces the most severe penalty for the violation He deems the most offensive. He is morally perfect. He is the most offended by the breaking of His moral law. There is no higher law. There is no greater crime. The ultimate crime is punishable by the ultimate penalty: eternal death…eternal separation from His presence.