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 5th
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?
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