claud: How did Christ escape it? He was born into that family too, wasn't He? Christ can apply the merits of the Cross to us after Calvary, right?
Catholics seem to have a gross misunderstanding about where the sin nature comes from. The sin nature is passed on through the father. Jesus had no sin nature because He did not have a human father to pass it on to Him. THAT'S how He escapes it.
Well, then, why can't He apply the merits of the Cross to His mother *before* Calvary? Does God live in time? What does "before" and "after" mean to Him?
The merits of Calvary do not mean sinless perfection. They mean salvation by forgiveness through faith. Sinless perfection comes only after this mortal body of ours dies. Before that, we sin. ALL of us.
Mary herself recognized her need for a savior. Only sinners need a savior. That is her admission of her own sin and sinfulness.
If she had never sinned and called God her savior, then that would have been a lie, thus making her a sinner.
Succinct and to the point. Mom, you hit it out of the park!
Hoss