PSALM 51:1–13
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me
(Ps. 51:5).
Today we are going to consider the controversial subject of original sin. But first we must understand that there is a difference between the origin of sin and original sin. The origin of sin has to do with where sin came from. Original sin has to do with our sinful nature.
Every church, historically at least, has some doctrine of original sin; that is not to say that everyone agrees on its definition, origin, or extent, but we do agree that there is something wrong with the human race. So evident is this fact that if the Bible were silent on original sin, reason itself would conclude that humanity is depraved. But why is this the case? Why is it that sinfulness is so widespread that we tacitly agree that no one is perfect? Even those who believe that people are born innocent or at least neutral cannot deny that we do not maintain that purity. We must ask, if man is born innocent, then why do we all grow up to be sinners. No matter the culture, no matter the ethical standard, we all fall short.
Let us begin by making a distinction between actual sin and the sinful condition. The actual evil deeds that we do flow out of a corrupt and fallen nature. Sin is a product of sinners. We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. That is an important distinction. Man at birth comes into the world with a sin nature. The Bible tells us that by nature we are children of wrath, by nature we are estranged from God, and by nature we are dead in our sins. We know that all children are born in a sinful condition (Ps. 51:5). They have not committed actual sin, but they have a sin nature. This is what we are referring to when we talk about original sin. It is not the sin that Adam and Eve committed in the Garden. It began there, but that is not what we mean when we speak of the doctrine. Original sin is the result of their transgression—the state of fallenness that all mankind has been born in since.
As a result of Adam’s sin, we, as a race, can do nothing but sin because we are sinners. Our hands are tied by our own sinful hearts. Only in redemption and ultimately in glorification are we freed from this universal bondage to original sin.
CORAM DEO
1 Chronicles 8–10
John 8:37–59
WEEKEND
1 Chronicles 11–16
John 9
Read Psalm 51. Who did David blame for his sin? Who did he confess he had sinned against? Who alone could cleanse David from his sin? Who do you blame for your sin? If you do not regularly confess your sin to God, do you perceive the difference in your spiritual life? What does Psalm 51 say results from this?
For further study: Eph. 2:1–10; 4:17–24 • Col. 1:19–23
WEEKEND