Sinful/Sin Nature
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” - 1 John 5:18
The Sinful Nature doctrine asserts that humans are born sinful and as a consequence of the fall, inherited from Adam an innate proclivity to sin. However, this was not believed, neither held by the early Church nor taught in the Scriptures. This was rather first developed in the writings of Augustine and influenced by his interpretations of Rom 5:12-21 and 1 Cor 15:21-22. This doctrine further influenced the Reformers and has shaped subsequent theological doctrines (such as Reformed Theology) which again have their basis in man’s interpretation of the Scriptures rather than the Scriptures cohesiveness in explaining itself. Original sin/sin(ful) nature and other variant titles, stand as an anti-Christ teaching because humans are not born sinful neither is sin inherited nor an innate quality.
The Scripture states, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” - Eccl 7:29. God did not create humans to sin against Him. God created humans upright--righteous with the ability to choose and make decisions. There is nothing innate about choosing wrong and committing sins when one can choose right. That would be attributing sin to God which is false as the previous Scripture refutes. It is an insult to the Creator. Besides, if sin was inherited and innate, why is this stated to Adam’s descendant, following man’s disobedience: “And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” - Gen 4:6-7. Why would the Lord ask Cain to do that which he couldn’t? Why would God ask him to overcome something in “his nature” if he was just born with sin (inherited) and born to sin (tendency)?
Adam & Eve chose between obedience to God or disobedience. Their disobedience was sin even if they didn’t intend it to be so. From that decision, sin entered our world and each person is born into a world with the consequences of that fall. Nonetheless, each person is born also with the choice to live upright and righteous following God’s Word which is truth. People are not born sinners. They, however, fall into sin and disobedience when they disregard God’s Word and commands. If they decide to repent -- confess and forsake their sins (Prov 28:13), they will receive forgiveness of their past, and if they continue in obedience, they will obtain the crown of righteousness. If they do not continue in obedience to God, they cut themselves off from God’s mercy and grace, and will not inherit the kingdom of God (Heb10:26-30, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rom 11:22).
To believe sin is inherited from Adam would be unbiblical, seeing that the Word also states, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” - Eze 18:20-21. No one has inherited Adam’s sin. Everyone born into this world has the choice to make of their own. Christ offers forgiveness of sins that are past (Rom 3:23-25, 2 Pet 1:9) giving us freedom and liberty that we would go and sin no more as He commanded (Jn 8:11, Jn 5:12-14). This is so that we may truly understand His love toward us and reciprocate that love with our obedience (Jn 14:15).
In light of 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” and Romans 5:12-21, particularly verse 19: “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” It was through Adam that sin became the reality in our world and thus could have an influence on all people based on their individual decisions. However, it is through Christ that one obtains true freedom from sin (Jn 8:36): when one turns away from sin, baptizes in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins, and receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). One may now serve God with a pure conscience as a result of Christ’s sacrifice (Heb 9:14, Heb10:22) with an assurance that their past is forgiven. They would now have to live the rest of their lives in holiness (1 Pet 1:13-16) and obedience to the one who exemplified perfect obedience. Without obedience to Christ, there is no salvation. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” - Heb 5:8-9.
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” - 1 Jn 3:8-10
