Every human being on Earth needs to understand “the sin we’re in” and the resultant need for a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Every human being needs to understand that each of us sin, and our sin is an insult to the veracity (conformity to facts; accuracy; truthfulness) of God.
Every human being needs to realize that they are hopeless and helpless to save themselves.
Every human being needs to realize that they cannot work their way to God. But why is that?
THE DOCTRINE OF ORIGINAL SIN – A BRIEF OVERVIEW
Since the time of Adam (the first human being from the Hand of God), man has been alienated from God. Adam’s sin, which passed to all mankind, placed us in a continuous state of estrangement. All mankind is condemned – subject to the wrath of God. All of us are separated from God by sin, so let’s look for a moment at sin.
WHAT IS SIN?
When used in Scripture as a singular noun, the word sin often refers to the sin nature, as in Romans 7:14 and 1 John 1:8. The presence of a sin nature in ALL members of the human race makes it 100% impossible for anyone to measure up to the perfect righteousness of God. Personal sin, which emanates from the sin nature, is always directed against God, consciously or subconsciously (Psalm 51:4).
The Bible defines personal sin in several ways by the following synonyms:
- Fall short – (Romans 3:23)
- Transgressions – rebellion against or overstepping the Law (Psalm 51:1-5)
- Act unfaithfully – self-will over God’s will (Joshua 22:20)
- Trespasses – falling aside (Ephesians 2:1)
- Lawlessness – failure in relation to the Mosaic Law (1 Timothy 1:9)
- Unbelief – the only unpardonable sin, which literally is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (John 8:24; 16:9).
Man is born into this world with three strikes already against him. These three strikes (sin) constitute an impassable barrier, according to Scripture:
- Strike One – Inherent sin: We inherit Adam’s sin – the old man or the sin nature (Romans 5:12) by procreation. That is what David was saying when he said, “I was brought forth in iniquity” (Psalm 51:5).
- Strike Two – Imputed sin: “In Adam all die.” We are ALL counted guilty (1 Corinthians 15:22). Sin passed to ALL of us. This is why Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 “all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.” (Reference Romans 7:17-18; Hebrews 7:9-10).
- Strike Three – Personal sin – man sin’s, personally.
The original sin of Adam was passed on to the human race, and we call this “imputed” sin (we received the sin nature “by default” in today’s nomenclature). But… when we receive Christ as Savior, God imputes His righteousness to us, replacing the imputed sin nature.
In contrast, by means of the virgin birth, Jesus Christ came into the world without inherent sin (no human father – virgin birth), therefore the sin nature and the resulting spiritual death was not imputed to him. In addition, Christ lived a life free of personal sin.
Christ accomplished God’s will in every area of His life while on Earth. We know this by the cross, resurrection, ascension, and session of Christ at the right hand of the Father on the Throne of Grace. This is called “Operation: Footstool” (Matthew 22:24; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:43; Acts 2:35; Hebrews 1:13; 10:13).
So in Adam all die, but in Christ all live. The choice is personal for each individual. The payment for sin (death) was paid by Christ, the only one qualified to do so, on our behalf (Romans 5: 6-12). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31a).
Integrity is loyalty to truth.
Christian integrity is faithfulness to God.
“The sum of Thy Word is Truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting” (Psalm 119:160).