Original Sin and Imputed Sin

 

Life-Long Learning 

     I am a life-long learner; It is one of God's gifts I hold with great joy. I haven't always felt this way. During my college days, my last semester, I could hardly wait for graduation as I approached my final degree. Forty years ago, my vivid memory of graduation day, May 15, 1982, remains strong. May 15, 2022, marks the day my oldest daughter will graduate from high school and begin her journey to college. On that same day, one of my nephews will graduate with an advanced degree from Norte Dame. Who could have foretold that we would share this date in common? (God)

     Quite by accident, I found myself pursuing another degree after concluding that I had read my last textbook. At that time, the pursuit of manufactured success spoke loudly in my ears, as it does many young people. I only made it about halfway through that next degree when I realized that I was chasing something I didn't genuinely want. Many years later, I find my love of learning a compassion that I can barely ignore. My focus now is more heartfelt and is leading me to a completely different destination. Although I benefit from learning in my present life, its aim is not of this world.

Biblical Comprehension  

     A close friend recently shared that she was in a hotel room when she reached for the Bible. Thankfully, her first impression was not her lasting impression. On that day, she found it nearly impossible to read the rich text full of thees, thous, thus says, and doeths. It was overwhelming and confusing. So, why on earth do we supply hotel rooms with KJV Bibles? God had not yet opened her eyes to the truth or relevance printed in black and red letters on faded off-white pages. The victory is that she now boldly serves the risen Savior.

     I, too, am thankful that my early impressions of the Bible have not been my lasting impression. My Bible would lay dormant for days upon weeks, upon months, upon years. I couldn't conjure enough interest to learn more about the God who I assumed I already knew. Even now, I've barely scratched the surface of knowing the Infinite God, who drew me to Him at a very young age while I was in grade school. How presumptuous I was to hold something of such significance as little value. My heart had not learned to treasure the very Word of God.  

Digging Deeper 

     While re-reading the 5^th chapter of Romans, a concept captured my attention. It begged me to dig deeper and enrich my understanding of sin. I asked, "What is the difference between Original Sin and Imputed Sin" a concept I knew not. I could no longer justify my ignorance. For several months I've taken time to explore phrases that the apostle Paul uses with frequency throughout his epistles. I've found great pleasure in drawing from one letter to the next to enrich my understanding. Much of Paul's writings require much deeper contemplation than the investment I have made in them. I have never, ever, spent three months contemplating a book of the Bible. The same book in which a well-known pastor spent six weeks preaching on the same two verses and six years preaching through the entire book. There is no end to learning.

Two Adam's   

     In Romans 5:12-19, Paul builds an argument regarding the relationship between two Adams. One brings transgression and the other redemption.

When we think about human history, everything rests on these two men.

The name Adam means humanity. In our western culture, we have difficulty accepting that one man's disobedience affects every human being who has lived on this planet. In Genesis 2:17, God gave one command. His first command that humanity was to obey. It was a one-shot deal. In simple terms, God said, "Do not do this one thing." Here's what my Bible says, "But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."

     Do you recognize the word 'you' in a single expression (Adam) or as a plural expression including all humanity? For many of us, this means both Adam and Eve collectively. But why does the passage in Romans refer to the transgression of one man?   God charged Adam with failure to lead; Eve's involvement was called deception. 1 Timothy 2:13-14 (NASB), "For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression."  Although it appears that both Adam and Eve sinned, one was deceived and the other disobedient; it was Adam who was held accountable.      

Original Sin 

     Many people throughout history have expressed various opinions regarding Original Sin and Imputed Sin like Augustine, Pelagius, Cassian, Arminius, and others. However, two significant verses found in Romans give us a clear understanding that 'all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and we all deserve death because of it (Romans 6:23).

     When I learn, curiosity often takes me to the edges of my comfort zone. I've come to realize I have comprehension limitations. My spiritual understanding grows over time. If I take myself over the edge of comprehension, my eyes glaze, and my mind stops functioning. All I see are Words (blah-blah-blah), much like my friend's first experience reading thee's and thou's. What I fight against is laziness. When I'm willing to take myself to the edge of my understanding, I know it will only be the Holy Spirit that allows me to understand further when I'm ready. It is precious to find someone to expand my knowledge, a good teacher. I am blessed by many. Learning is most valuable when not about head smarts but heart change. 

Nourishment 

     While reading the initial account of sin entering the world, I noticed a little something that never really stood out before. It was a specific elimination of life-sustaining nourishment. In Genesis 3:17, we read, "Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life."  From my earliest recognition of Sunday School, I remember hearing that God blocked access to the Tree of Life using chubby angels called cherubims to guard the tree with flaming swords. I intend no disrespect for God's angels, yet this is how I remember them, cute and chubby. 

     Previously, I would focus on the 'work-for-food' concept we call toil more than the declining value of our nourishment. Our bodies depend on nutrition for a long, healthy life. Our aches, pains, and nutritional deficiencies are tied to Adam's Sin. According to GotQuestions.com, "The tree of life, mentioned in the books of Genesis and Revelation, is a life-giving tree created to enhance and perpetually sustain the physical life of humanity."   In Genesis 3:22, we read, "Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever." Humanity's sustenance was no longer richly supplied by the Tree of Life. We now get our nutrition from the ground or genetically modified substances. It has considerably influenced our quality of life. 

     Although I could blame my aches, pains, and poor nutrition on Adam, this is not entirely true as I am responsible for the overconsumption of sugars, dairy, and carbs. As life moves forward, possibly enhanced by fear-based media, doesn't it seem like the quality and safety of our food supply have significantly changed in the past several years? God is not to blame for this; we are. Much like the Law gives visibility to sin, declining health or food supply issues encourage us to recognize our need for God. Are you noticing?

Original Sin and Imputed Sin 

     Historically speaking, some have called Original Sin and Imputed Sin interchangeably; however, the apostle Paul tries in Romans 5:12-19 to make our understanding of sin clear. Original sin is found in Adam, which impacts us all. When sin entered the world, it brought with it consequential death. This is both physical deaths that separate our body from our soul and spiritual death that separates us from God. 

     The word, original, means present or existing from the beginning of our first and earliest understanding. In contrast, imputed means assigned to something by inference or something given by association.

Culturally Speaking 

     In Eastern culture, Original Sins is also called Ancestral Sin. Adam is recognized for drawing sin into this world through disobedience. Although evil already existed outside of this world through Satan. Easterners are more likely to associate with the idea that Adam's Sin transfers from one human to another through the flesh. In Western thinking, we focus on autonomy. Because we hold individuality as a valuable virtue, we need help believing we are guilty by association. In turn, we also have a hard time owning our sin by the fallacy in our beliefs that truth is relative, whatever one wishes it to be. If we don't believe we sin, how could we possibly think we're born with it. If we cannot make truth palatable (tasty), our only choice is denial.

Judgment / Justice 

     Truthfully, we are lucky that God applied Judgment to Adam's Original Sin. How deep the crevasse would be if God continued to apply additional penalties for ongoing sin. We were sentenced to death by one man's disobedience; Another Man's obedience has defeated sin and death. Original sin began in the Garden. It created separation from God; it requires a Redeemer to resolve and reconcile us back to God. Jesus' blood (the Second Adam) recovers what the first Adam lost.

     The apostle Paul also talks about Imputed Sin from the standpoint of visibility. He says this in verse 13, "for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law."  Man was not held accountable for a standard he did not possess. The Law gave us a plumb line from which to measure whether we will live according to God's standard or not. Obeying the Law does not save is. The Law makes visible man's natural desire to sin and fall short of God's glory.

The remedy for sinful man was costly; Jesus paid the debt. Do we believe that the reason for Jesus' life, death, and resurrection was for our sakes? Jesus saw our helpless need, and while we were yet sinners, He paid the cost and provides salvation to those who put their trust in Him.  Those who do not believe will not receive forgiveness of sins and will experience permanent separation from God.

Questions 

Do you discount anything the Word of God says because you don't find it attractive?

Do you enjoy exploring new concepts that you've not yet understood to gain a richer appreciation for God's grace?