Article 09
Original or Birth-sin
“Original sin is not found merely in the following of Adam’s example (as the Pelagians foolishly say). It is rather to be seen in the fault and corruption which is found in the nature of every person who is naturally descended from Adam. The consequence of this is that man is far gone from his original state of righteousness. In his own nature he is predisposed to evil, the sinful nature in man always desiring to behave in a manner contrary to the Spirit. In every person born into this world there is found this predisposition which rightly deserves God’s anger and condemnation. This infection within man’s nature persists even within those who are regenerate. This desire of the sinful nature, which in Greek is called ‘phronema sarkos’ and is variously translated the wisdom or sensuality or affection of desire of the sinful nature, is not under the control of God’s law. Although there is no condemnation for those that believe and are baptized, nevertheless the apostle states that any such desire is sinful.”
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Children are wonderful and can bring great joy into our lives. But even doting parents cannot pretend that their children are perfect. Living with kids can convince anyone that what the Bible says about original sin is true!
We usually shrug off our shortcomings by saying, “I’m only human” – but that is only an explanation, not an excuse. The 39 Articles declare that people are “predisposed to evil”. That may sound like an exaggeration, but who of us can deny that we do things every day which fall short of even our own standards? Somerset Maugham once said, “If I wrote down every thought I have ever thought and every deed I have ever done, men would call me a monster of depravity.” The Bible urges us to compare ourselves with God’s standards; only then do we see how far short we have fallen, and how much we need a savior.
Jesus is the only one who has ever lived who was not tainted by sin from the beginning, the only person not predisposed to evil. At the trial before his death, not a single witness could be found to make any accusation against him; there is no record of him having ever said or done anything wrong. Jesus was not only a man but God himself, and came to earth in human form to live a perfect life and die a sacrificial death on our behalf.
The 39 Articles state: “In every person born into this world there is found this predisposition which rightly deserves God’s anger and condemnation.” Praise God that, on the cross, Jesus swapped places with us. He was punished in a way he did not deserve, so we might escape his judgment and live! This is God’s good news to us.
