Credo: Sin

(A work in progress)

Sin

            I believe sin is real. I believe that sin is ultimately done against God (Ps. 51:4) and is entirely contrary to his will. Therefore, the doctrine of sin is essentially related to all aspects of theology because it is tied to God himself. I believe that the doctrine of sin is inexplicably tied to humanity, for it was Adam and Eve that sinned in the beginning (Gen. 3). Sin, therefore, is an intrinsically human action. I believe that although it was Satan who tempted Eve, he is not the one that causes sin; nor is God. I believe that because human beings are made in the image of God and are therefore made to reflect his image throughout his creation, it is fitting that human beings should be judged according to the degree in which they represent God as image bearers. I believe that all human beings fall tremendously short of representing God in wholeness and truth because of sin. I believe that human beings—as creatures with rational abilities to think and act freely—bear the responsibility for their actions and are therefore culpable for the degree to which they fall short of God’s standard of moral righteousness. I believe humans fall short of this standard because of their sin. I believe that humans are entirely unable to avoid sinning and this fact is grounded in our relationship with Adam, being his natural descendants. I believe that when Adam sinned with Eve, sin was conceived in such a way that Adam assumed natural headship over the entire human genealogical destiny rendering all who were born after him totally depraved (Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:22). In this depraved state the moral constitution of humanity was bent inward in idolatry and away from God (Eph. 2:3). Thus, I believe that no human being is truly “good” by any natural means (Mk. 10:18). I believe that humanity’s sinful state marred the image of God that was once perfectly represented in humanity (in Eden before the fall). I believe that because of sin all human beings are bound to death (James 1:15). In this way, I believe that death is unnatural because sin is unnatural. I believe that beyond bringing death, sin also brings havoc and destruction into all areas of human existence—sin destroys the sinner. I believe that relational problems, manifestations of greed, envy, hatred, lust, covetousness, spite, malice, and more are all rooted in sin. I believe that sin is also the prerequisite for salvation (Gal. 2:21). I believe that the greatest need of all mankind is to be forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life through Christ Jesus (Jn. 17:3). I believe that the essence of sin can be conceived of as both pride and idolatry. I believe the sinner is an idolator at heart, worshipping anything and everything except God and in doing so takes great pride in their false devotion (Isa. 44:14-17). I believe that sin manifests as many different traits in a human being, all of which are a perversion of what is right in God’s sight. I believe that sin makes the sinner satisfied in their own self-righteousness, bent away from the grace of God, and grounded in their own ability to do what is ultimately impossible—to overcome the consequence of sin—which is judgement and death. I believe that sin must be confessed of, and not treated as insignificant—for to say we have not sinned is sin in and of itself (1 Jn. 1:8-10). I believe that it takes a supernatural work of God to render the sinner able to see beyond the damage caused by their sin and instead find the restitution, restoration, forgiveness, mercy, and grace that God offers through Jesus Christ on the cross. I believe that the sinner may be forgiven by God, because Christ bore the curse of our sins on the cross (Is. 53; 1 Jn. 3:5). The sinner suffers from both guilt and shame as a result of their sin—a fate that is only remedied by salvation for Christ makes the believer dead to sin, but alive to God (Rom. 6:11). Ultimately, even unbelief (in God through Christ Jesus) is sin. I do not believe that infants, the unborn, and those born unable to develop cognitive abilities to accept or reject God are condemned for their unbelief; rather, they are the recipients of God’s grace and inherit eternal life. I believe that Christ has conquered sin (Mic. 7:19; 1 Cor. 15:54-58) and in doing this, he has promised that the indwelling presence of the consuming fire will destroy sin in every human being, in eternity. In time, all are vessels of wrath and in eternity we will become vessels of mercy through Christ.