The "Sin Nature"
We often find it difficult as Christians to believe that people, who have never even heard of the Bible, or of Jesus, are condemned to die and suffer in hell for their sin. This is an age old struggle, where the mercy we want to feel for people has a conflict in us with the truth of God’s justice being meted out to everyone regardless. The apostle Paul deals with this issue very well in Romans 5:12-21. However the explanation is very complicated in it so we will move cautiously and slowly through it. Let us look at verses 12-14 first and foremost. Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-- for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. Romans 5:12-14
The word of God given through Paul tells us here that sin came into the world through one man. That one man was the man Adam. We are afraid in many Christian circles today to deal with the concept of “original sin”, and even sometimes are discouraged from doing so because it is a deeper mystery of the Gospel. Yet Paul here in Romans brings it up. Paul deals with it in a way that even the simplest of people might understand, which is a good thing, because I am pretty simple. The concept is that sin originally came into the world because of the transgression of one man, that man being Adam. Death entered the world directly after, as a result of the entrance of sin.
Some would say at this point, that because of that one sin, all men are to die. However Paul, as well as I, understands it differently. Pay close attention to where he says, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Romans 5:12b People don’t die and go to hell because Adam sinned, they die and go to hell because they have sinned. It is the “sin nature” that entered into the world through that one man. That very tendency inside of us to rebel against God, and our conscience that he gave us, and do our own thing is the “sin nature”.Theologically this is a very difficult concept, and so I want to stop for the day with this prayer.
Father God,
The concept of original sin is one that is hard for even the most learned to understand. However I don't want to shy away from your truth just because it is not easy to understand. So I ask that you would renew and refresh my mind, and help me to see the truth, and understand. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen.
posted by Pastor Jerry at
8:33 AM
3 Comments:
Original Sin is a very simple concept to understand. All we have to do is look within ourselves to see it resides within each of us. None of us is exempt. We are all self-centered and self-serving to one degree or another. Some more than others, but all of us to a greater extent than we would like to admit. Some practice it openly while others try to cover it up by trying to do good in their own strength. We see all too many examples of the famous and not so famous who fail almost on a daily basis. Only by trusting in Christ's sacrifice and GOD"S Grace can we be set free from Sin's bondage.
By
Anonymous, at 10:29 PM
Though I consider it somewhat of a mute point because certainly all have sinned, sin entered through one man not many. We all sinned because we were all represented in Adam.
Sin nature is easy to see if you are a Christian, but certainly more difficult for those who do not believe in God.
By
John Byrne, at 3:04 PM
John,
I totally agree that sin came into the world through one man, however at that point is where you and I might differ.
As Adam was the common ancestor of all we have the sin nature passed down to us, but Romans 5:12 clearly states that we die not for Adam's sin but our own. Here is the scripture.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--
Romans 5:12
The origninal sin brought in the sin nature, but as Paul states, all men die because all sinned. We do not die for Adam's sin, but for our own active sin.
By
Pastor Jerry, at 11:08 PM
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