This Blog Post follows episode 21 on the podcast.
We cannot escape sin. It is part of our spiritual DNA since Adam. But we CAN eradicate it! Keep reading to learn how.
Let’s get started with the fact that to sin and do good is in our DNA.
There is a universal affinity to help others and do good works, just as there is a universal affinity to sin; it appears that the nature to do good works is, at least, somewhat independent of religion.
Just look at most of the superstars of today. We are constantly reading about something they have done or are doing that is a good deed to help someone.
We were created with the inherent tendency to do good works: Ephesians 2:10 KJV - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
NLT - For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
If we continue to explore this concept, we realize that this affinity or the ability to empathize in order to do good works must be hardwired into humanity. Equally, the nature of sin is also hardwired into society.
What is Sin & Why Should We Care To Understand it?
Sin has been described as: “that which is opposed to the character and will of God.” Sin is part of our spiritual & carnal DNA so that it is virtually impossible to understand who we are without knowing about sin. People will sin both in action and attitude.
The apostle Paul described three basic kinds of sin in his epistles. To understand how sin makes us the kind of people we are, it is essential to understand each of these three kinds of sin.
- Our Personal Sin
- Our Sin Nature
- Imputed Sin
Let beak these down one at a time; first off, Our Personal Sin.
Comparing Jews and Gentiles, Paul concluded, in Rom. 3:22-23 KJV
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Here it is again in the New Living Translation Romans 3:22-23
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
With that, we have an understanding that a personal sin may be a sin of commission (doing something wrong) or a sin of omission (failing to do something right). Also, a personal sin can be expressed by an act or attitude. People with sinful attitudes produce sinful acts. Here is some scripture to back that up.
Mark 7:21 KJV
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders
That is why Jesus equated sins like anger with murder.
Matthew 5:21-22 KJV
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill;
and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a
cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his
brother, Raw-kaw, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall
say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire.
And that is also why Jesus equates lust with fornication.
Matthew 5:27-28 KJV
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not
commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her
hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
When we practice personal sin, our fellowship with God is broken. However, that broken fellowship can be restored as we confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness. You cannot experience true fellowship with God until you put your faith in Him and His Word. When you are a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, you will search His Word and will gladly receive His Word.
#2 Our Sin Nature
The word sin occurs in both the singular and plural in the Bible. Usually, when the word occurs as a singular noun, it refers to the sinful nature of people. We all have a sinful nature that has been a part of us since we were conceived (Ps. 51:5).
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin, my mother conceived me. The apostle John noted in I John 1: 8 KJV
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us.
The Bible describes sin as having a negative influence on our intellect and our conscience (1 Tim. 4:2), two aspects of our personality. Rom. 1:28 KJV
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 1 Timothy 4:2 KJV
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot Iron;
That means our sinful nature negatively impacts our personality, and our sinful nature influences us to sin (Rom. 5:12).
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned—
While we still have the old nature in our DNA, we cannot use it as an excuse for sinning when we have been crucified with Christ and became a new creature. Take a look at the following two scriptures.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 6:7 KJV
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
#3 Imputed Sin
The word impute means “to ascribe to” or “derived through another” Romans 5:12 KJV
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
When we purchase with a credit card, the value of that purchase is “imputed” to our account. In the same way, Adam’s sin is imputed to the human race, which sprang from heaven. This is done because Adam was the first man of the human race... he was a representative for the whole human race.
Just as a child partakes in the consequences of a father’s wise or unwise financial investments, so we live with the results of the imputed sin of our father, Adam. Just as citizens live with the consequences of decisions made by their representatives in government, so we live with the results of our representative’s decision in the Garden of Eden.
Some might view the imputation of Adam’s sin to the human race as somehow unfair or unjustified, but our willingness to readily engage in sin like Adam suggests we would have done the same thing. Still, God not only imputes Adam’s sin to the human race, but He also offers to impute Christ’s righteousness to all who believe. (Rom. 5:21).
The biblical remedy for imputed sin is the imputed righteousness of Christ. God created people as the high point of His creation. Although sin has marred that creation, God still loves people and wants what is best for us.
The most significant evidence of God’s love for us is evident in what He has done to save them from the sin that threatens to destroy them. Christians who love people like God loves people will want to do their best to help them experience God’s salvation for their sin.
This coming Wednesday, we will drop episode 22, The DNA od Sin Part Two, on the podcast, followed by the blog post here.
