Hi brother RB and everyone else on the board,
In discussing original sin, I think it's important to look at the original sin. I then ask a few questions: What is original sin, does it apply to me and did the works of Christ change anything.
Adam was sinless before the fall. He was in the right relationship with God. He walked and talked with Him. He was free to eat from any tree in the garden and before the commandment came, I believe he was even free to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But when the commandment came, Adam was now the keeper of himself. What I mean by that is, it was up to him to keep himself spotless, by not eating from that specific tree. When he did eat of it, he transgressed the law of God and the fall of all men came with his disobedience.
What this meant, is that from birth, man was born in sin. Seperated from God. Not in the proper relationship with the most high Lord in heaven. Because of original sin, man's heart was completely wicked. Not only was man not capable of seeking God, they didn't want to seek Him. In other words, man was lost with no chance for redemption.
This was part of God's plan. He elected a nation to be His people, and from this people, Christ would come.
That answers my first two questions, now I have to ask if the work of Christ changed anything.
All sin required a sacrifice (OT), even the unknown sins. I believe Christ died for the sins of the world. He rose from the dead beating death hell and the grave and offering eternal life, to all those that believe and trust in Him. Therefore, He died for the sins of the world, His resurrection was for eternal life.
Adam was completely free before the commandment, I see Christ setting us completely free of the penalty of sin. When God gave Adam a commandment, Adam could not keep it, just as we are not able to keep the commandment when God speaks to our heart. Adam transgressed and so do we. We then become unable and completely unwilling to seek after God and His righteousness. I believe the Bible teaches that Christ came to seek and to save that which is lost. When God spoke to me, I was lost. I believe He speaks to all men in His way. When He speaks, we are able to respond, not until.
When Christ saves us, we are then kept by the power of God. I see two men, the natural and the spiritual (I often refer to this and the outer man and inner man). When we are born, naturally we are born in the sin of Adam, inwardly we are innocent because of the work of Christ on the cross. Outwardly, we are sown in sin (or with a sin nature), inwardly we are alive. The reason, Christ paid the price for my original sin.
When the commandment came to me, like Paul, sin revived and I died (Spiritually). I see death as a seperation. When I naturally die, I am cut off from the natural living. When I died spiritually, I was spiritually cut off from God. Only by the grace of God is anyone saved from that point. Only those that believe in His Son and believe and trust in the resurrection are saved.
I know I went farther than just original sin, but I feel original sin and total depravity walk hand and hand. Because of Christ on the cross, we are born with the original sin nature only. Free from the penalty that sin carries. When God speaks to us, we then die spiritually and are totally depraved, and in danger of the wrath to come.
Brother RB, I am sure you will disagree with my view (Or parts of it), but this is how I see it in scripture. I have attempted to put it as plain as I can. Some may have issues with the wording, if so, ask and I will try to clarify my points better. I do not profess to know it all, so maybe someone will help me to grow in the knowledge of God's word.
God bless and many blessings to all!!!
