How does the sin of Adam affect us? Scripture teaches that we inherit sin from Adam in two ways:
1. Inherited Guilt: We Are Counted Guilty Because of Adam's Sin
When Adam sinned, God considered all who descend from Adam as sinners. This concept, often referred to as "original sin," means that all members of the human race were represented by Adam during the time of testing in the Garden of Eden. As our representative, Adam's sin resulted in God counting us guilty alongside him. The key passages illustrating this point are found in Romans 5:12-21:
Romans 5:12 - "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."
Romans 5:13-14 - "For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come."
Romans 5:18-19 - "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
2. Inherited Corruption: We Have a Sinful Nature Because of Adam's Sin
We also inherit a sinful nature due to Adam's sin:
Psalm 51:5 - "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me."
Psalm 58:3 - "The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies."
Ephesians 2:3 - "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
Ephesians 6:4 - "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Romans 2:14-15 - "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another."
Romans 13:3-4 - "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil...for he is the minister of God to thee for good."
1 Peter 2:13-14 - "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well."
Our inherited corruption, or tendency to sin, means that as far as God is concerned, we are unable to do anything that pleases Him. This can be seen in two ways:
a. In Our Natures: We Totally Lack Spiritual Good Before God
Romans 7:18 - "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not."
Titus 1:15 - "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled."
Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
b. In Our Actions: We Are Totally Unable to Do Spiritual Good Before God
Romans 8:8 - "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
John 15:5 - "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Hebrews 11:6 - "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Isaiah 64:6 - "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."
Romans 3:9-20 - "There is none righteous, no, not one...Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight."
1 Corinthians 2:14 - "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
John 6:44 - "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him."
Romans 14:23 - "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
This understanding of inherited guilt and corruption underscores the profound need for redemption through Jesus Christ, who offers justification and new life to all who believe in Him.
Reference
The Holy Bible, King James Version. (n.d.)
Grudem, Wayne (2009-05-18). Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Chapter 24). Zondervan. Kindle Edition
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