06/27/22 THE ATONEMENT AND SIN

06/27/22 THE ATONEMENT AND SIN

We were born with a human and an Adamic (carnal, sinful) nature. Though there is sin in humans, there is no sin in being human. We are not GUILTY of sin at birth, since we have not sinned (broken God's law). Our human nature is impaired by sin and we are corrupted because of sin nature. Corruption disqualifies from heaven, but Christ's atonement covers preborn, new born, infant and very young children (as indicated by Scripture, and Jesus said, for of such is the kingdom of God). God is just and God is merciful. No one is guilty and no one goes to hell because of another person's sin. Babies are not guilty because of Adam, but they are impaired, corrupted, twisted because of Adam's sin.

As a child gets older, he/she will eventually sin (break God's law). Sin is the breaking, the violating, the transgression of God's law. At the time of personal, intentional disobedience the child becomes a sinner. We are not sinners (transgressors of God's law) until we willingly rebel against God. At the time of willful disobedience, we become answerable and accountable for our own sinful nature and our own sinful deeds. However, Christ atoned for our sin (nature) and our sins (deeds), therefore when we believe on (trust in) Christ's death and resurrection for our salvation from sin, we are forgiven, regenerated and accepted into God's family.

Adam's sin was a decision that corrupted and enslaved all of his descendants. People refer to Adam as the Federal Head of the human race. Since it is not a Biblical term, we must get our definition from men, not the Bible. As an example of how a Federal Head functions consider a king declaring war against an enemy. When a king or any leader of a people, commits to war, that leader is committing his people to war. It is possible that some of his people will not fight in the war and it is possible that some of his people will not agree with the war and it is possible that some of his people will refuse to fight in that war. However, all of his people will be effected, hurt, and will suffer because of that war.

All of Adam's descendants are effected by Adam's sin, but that does not mean that all of Adam's descendants are guilty or complicit with Adam's sin. We did not sin along with Adam (since we did not even exist at the time of Adam). We did not sin as a preborn, since we did not deliberately transgress God's law.

We were not sinners in Adam's body. We have sinned at some point in our life, which made us guilty of sin. As guilty sinners we needed the salvation which comes only from Christ.

A careful reading of Scripture does not indicate that we are guilty because of Adam's sin, though it does indicate a liability to sin, a susceptibility to sin. The atonement saves all men from the curse of the law, while they are preborn, new born and infant. The atonement provides salvation from sins committed to those who believe, confess, repent of their evil deeds. The atonement provides cleansing, deliverance from the Old Man, the Carnal Mind, the sinful nature, to those who call on God to purify their hearts.

God's will and God's salvation saves everyone (preborn, new born, infant); personal sin condemns everyone who transgresses God's law; personal salvation comes to those who believe in and trust in the death and resurrection of Christ. This salvation is justification (forgiveness, regeneration, cleansing from sins committed) and it also includes the fullness of the Holy Spirit for believers (purifying of the heart, empowering for service).

Psalms 24:3-4
(3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
(4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

James 4:8
[8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.