FOUNDATION OF FAITH PART VIII

Blessed Sunday to Everyone

THE ORIGIN OF SIN

Satan tempted man to sin, and man yielded to that temptation. 1 John 3:8 says. "Whoever continues to sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the very beginning." It was Satan that brought sin into the world, but this does not free man from blame. Man is responsible too. Adam did not have to yield to temptation from Satan. We know that temptations do not come from God. James 1:13-14 tells us, "If a person is tempted by such trials, he must not say, 'This temptation comes from God.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one." It is not sin to be tempted. Even Jesus was tempted by the devil. But it is sin to yield. How different the world would be if Adam had not yielded. What happened to man when he sinned? God said that if he disobeyed he would die. He didn't die immediately as we know death, but he immediately became mortal. Death began to work in his body, soul, and spirit. "Sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it. As a result, death has spread to the whole human race because everyone has sinned"(Romans 5:12). Yes, all people are sinners. "Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence" (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin today is the same penalty that was given to Adam and Eve--death. Romans 5:12 expresses it this way: "Death has spread to the whole human race." In Romans 6:23 we read, "For sin pays its wage--death." No, the sinner doesn't physically die the moment he commits sin. Sometimes it even looks as though he prospers. But death is working there nevertheless, and eventually he will not only die physically but spiritually also. Spiritual death means eternal separation from God. That is why Christ's sacrifice and salvation through him can cover our sins and give us eternal life.

VERSE OF THE WEEK

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5: 6-8