THE NATURE OF SIN

The first man Adam was created perfect with a nature that was pure. We know from scripture that he disobeyed God and allowed sin to enter the human race. (Rom 5:12). We have been told that from the moment he disobeyed this one restriction God had placed on him, his nature became sinful, and he passed this "sinful nature" on to all of us human beings. Lately I have had some second thoughts about this teaching of a sinful nature that we all inherit from Adam. It is true that Adam sinned when he used his free will to make the choice to disobey God. We all make the same choice to disobey God and become sinners. (Rom 3:10-18, and 23) This makes us sinners, but does it mean that we have a sinful nature? We have been told that we receive a new nature when we are born again (John 3:3), and (2 Cor 5:17), which would give us two natures, an old one and a new one. At no time does a person created in the image of God ever have two natures! So what is the answer to this confusing issue?

Could it not be that although we are all sinners, we don't have a sinful nature? It is almost like saying my problem is this "sinful nature" that I inherited from Adam and not really me! I'm alright, but this thing called my sinful nature is not, and causes me to sin. The truth is we are sinners because we sin of our own volition! (James 4:1-2). Jesus tells us that all forms of evil comes out of our heart, which Jeremiah says is deceitfully wicked. Why not accept this fact that we are all sinners because we sin, and we sin because we are sinners, not because of something called a sinful nature that we inherited from Adam! God has made provision for us to be delivered from sin (1 John 1:9), forgiveness for the sins we have done, and cleansing for the wickedness that is within us! As I understand it the blood of Jesus paid the price of past sins that we have done, while the indwelling Holy Spirit cleanses us and keeps us from sinning in the present.

As born again members of God's family, we still have our own personal human nature with its appetites and desires, referred to as our "flesh", even though we have become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). The Holy Spirit is constantly at war with this flesh nature (Gal 5:17) "these two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions". "Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh" (Gal 5:16) would appear to be the only way to live a life that will please our heavenly Father!

Sincerely submitted.

Gramp