¹² When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. ¹³ Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. ¹⁴ Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. ¹⁵ But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. ¹⁶ And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. ¹⁷ For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.¹⁸ Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. ¹⁹ Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

The Second Adam

The doctrine of “original sin” is somewhat unique within Christian theology. The nature of The Oil Change makes it impossible for me to adequately explain in it’s entirety. However, in very simple terms, the doctrine of “original sin” states that we are all born with a sinful nature. That sinful nature is passed on through generations and can find it’s origin in the fall of Adam (and Eve) in Genesis 3. Adam’s sin brought upon us all the judgement of sin.

Many argue, and I am one of them, that you don’t have to look far to find the fruit of the sinful nature. A child naturally tests the rules and guidelines of parents. We have to teach our children to be generous because it is natural for them to think of themselves first. I am always amazed when a parent first realizes that their child has attempted to lie to them about something minor. Many parent’s are horrified that their kids have been so terribly influenced by their friends to disobey. And yet, it comes naturally for them. It’s in our nature. And it’s been passed on since Adam.

Jesus breaks the bondage caused by original sin. Theologians sometimes refer to Jesus as the Second Adam because he came to break the curse of the First Adam. Jesus doesn’t reverse Adam’s sin, but he does provide us with the ability to walk free of it. When you turn your life over to Christ and invite him into your life, the Bible tells us that your nature is changed. We become a new creation, a new person (see 1 Corinthians 5:17)

I’m not a big fan of the phrase, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.” If you’re a Christ follower, that’s simply not true. You were a sinner. But that was before you were saved by grace. You are no longer a sinner, because your nature has been changed. Paul never refers to the Church as sinners. Most of the time he calls his readers “Saints.”

Imagine how differently people would behave if they stopped seeing themselves as “sinners saved by grace” and started to view them more biblicaly as “saints who occasionally sin.” I don’t know, it’s just a thought.

My prayer: Lord, far too often I see myself in a way that is much different than how you see me. I see myself as a sinner. As unrighteous. As bad. While I may do bad things, may behave unrighteously, and often sin, you don’t see me the way I see myself. You see me as holy, righteous, and good. In fact, you see me as a saint. Not because of anything I’ve done, but because of Jesus Christ. Would you help me see myself the way you see me? Amen.

Until tomorrow.