This is true even of those that we love. Mankind is less than he could be because mankind has chosen to be less than he can be. We can reason in our own understanding about the personal and sociatal consequences of sin on our own. But what of the eternal ramifications of sin. What importance does God place on it.
Lets look at a few examples from the Scripture.
Satan was banished from heaven for the sin of unholy ambition. Satan wanted to be considered like or equal to God. The result of his sin is told in the following passages. Genesis chapter three deals with Adam's and Eve's punishment for sin. They wanted to have knowledge like God.