OUR SINFUL NATURE

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that man is sinful at our core. This does not mean that we can do no good at all, but it does mean that every aspect of our lives is touched by sin in some way. This is a fundamental understanding unique to Christianity, because it points to the absolute need of a Savior. All other religions and worldviews hold that man is basically good, and thus perfectible by law and education. An apologetic for the faith should include this instruction. Here are some examples of what the Bible teaches about sin:

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. . . . Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:3, 5)

“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” (Isaiah 64:6)

“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick.” (Jeremiah 17:9)

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside.” (Romans 3:9-12)

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

Consider these additional passages: Genesis 8:21; 1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Job 14:4; 25:4-6; Psalm 53:1-3; 58:3; 130:3; Proverbs 14:12; 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:29; 9:3; Isaiah 53:6; 55:8-9; John 3:19; 8:34, 44; Romans 5:12-21; 8:7-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:18. It would be worth taking the time to look up all of these passages, and think about you own situation seriously and honestly.

We are called to be blameless in Scripture, where we find lists of major, visible sins (Ten Commandments, Romans 1:28-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21). These high-profile sins include such things as murder, theft, and fornication. Some people may boast that they have avoided most of these transgressions, and in that sense, are indeed blameless. However, Jesus expanded our understanding of sin to include SINS OF THE HEART, which are an inescapable part of the human condition. Jesus taught that murder is expanded to include anger and hatred; adultery includes lust (Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28). We understand that sin also includes such things as pride, idolatry, greed, and covetousness. Consider 1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 1:28-30; Ephesians 5:3; James 4:2; 2 Peter 2:14, and 1 John 2:9, 11, 16.

An honest Christian will, I think, admit that he is never completely free from sins of the heart, even after being born again. What Christian never shows enmity, impatience, pride, envy, or lack of self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), or who never fails to love the unlovable or to show kindness and humility to their opponents (Matthew 5:43-48; Ephesians 4:2)? Who has always been a peacemaker or are always pure in heart (Matthew 5:3-11). Indeed, who has not wished vengeance on those who wronged you (Romans 12:19)?

Who among us has not spoken harsh words (Romans 3:13-14)? What Christian has not occasionally succumbed to gossip (Romans 1:29; James 1:26) or contributed to strife and division among our brothers (Romans 1:29; 14:10; Ephesians 4:3)? Who among us never tells a lie (Revelation 21:8) or been haughty (Proverbs 16:18; 21:4)? Who, for even one hour, has loved God with his whole heart, soul, mind and strength—and loved his neighbor as himself (Mark 12:30)?

Even the great Apostle Paul admitted that he could not completely control the sinful forces dwelling within himself! (Romans 7:14-21). He taught that we are BY NATURE children of God’s wrath! (Ephesians 2:1-3) Who among us can say that they are better than Paul?

We also find that the FAILURE to do the right thing, i.e. “sins of omission,” are also truly sin (James 4:17). Have you ever failed to show mercy to the downtrodden when you had a chance to do so (Matthew 5:7)? Warning: God even judges our SECRET sins (Psalm 90:7-8; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Hebrews 4:12-13). And even our righteous deeds are often tainted by sinful motives (Isaiah 64:6). The Bible also teaches that breaking even one point of the law makes us guilty of breaking the whole law (James 2:10). Jesus taught that it is what is INSIDE US that makes us sinners (Mark 7:20-23), emphasizing the truth about our sinful nature.

The biblical doctrine of IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS teaches that the righteousness of Christ is “imputed” to Christians through our faith. Even though Christians still sin, God overlooks our sin through a “legal fiction” or “judicial transfer.” In other words, it is an “alien” righteousness from God who CONSIDERS us sinless—i.e. OVERLOOKS our sin—because of Christ’s perfect life and sacrificial death.

Bible passages about imputed righteousness include: Genesis 15:6; Psalm 32:2; Isaiah 43:25; 53:5; John 3:16; Romans 3:21-25; 4:3-11, 22-24; 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:3-6; Philippians 3:9; Colossians 1:22-23; 3:1-5; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; 1 Peter 2:4, 24; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 1:5-10.

This doctrine of imputed righteousness does NOT say that Christians never sin anymore, or that sin no longer matters to God. The professing Christian who willfully keeps on sinning (having no control over his passions) may, indeed, not be a Christian at all (1 John 3:6). But just a few verses earlier, John taught that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins” (1 John 1:9), confirming that Christians do indeed sin. The Christian life is one of continuing to resist sin and live Godly lives, however imperfectly we are able.

But here is the good news: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

I didn’t go through all the references quoted but I often make a mental note of how the versions mentioned here on FR compare to the King James Version. In this case, the KJV version of Jeremiah 17:9 states “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Somehow that word ‘wicked’ just seems far more apropos than the word ‘sick’.

People are mostly good, but sometimes sin. What kind of angry, unhappy, negative pessimist believes otherwise? Any faith that teaches otherwise—that people are somehow inherently bad—is frankly awful. But thanks for posting it—helps reaffirm the wisdom of my decision to leave the church and go buddhist.

Namaste.

But here is the good news: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

We are told in Ephesians that we are saved by grace THROUGH faith and not our works "so that no man may boast", this tells all those who would glory in their own righteousness and merit that we cannot save ourselves. The "Law", Scripture says is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. It shows us - as your examples do - that it is not the letter of the law but the SPIRIT of the law that reveals our unworthiness. Without Christ's righteousness imputed to us, we would be utterly lost. Good works, all our works of righteousness, cannot make propitiation for our sins or atone for even one. Only by the shedding of blood, for it is the blood that makes atonement for sin (Leviticus 17:11). Jesus paid that sin debt in our place and offers us the righteousness of God IN Christ.

Until we come to the realization that we are destitute sinners outside of the mercy of God, we will never know the wonder of His grace within it!

I hope you at least acknowledge that no matter how "good natured" a person is, there is really nobody who is perfectly righteous and who has never sinned. The "inherent" sinful nature is a truth that Scripture affirms repeatedly. If you reject it, you reject God's own truth - and He should know us better than anyone.

This isn't saying everyone is a terrible, rotten criminal just that we ALL have within us the capability to do wrong and some people are capable of grave wickedness. Do some people live more righteous (good) lives than others? Sure. Scripture doesn't discount that. But what it does confirm is that we have all sinned and that none of us is as perfectly righteous as God. Not one of us is as "good" as God is. I would think even a Buddhist could agree with that.

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