Reply To: Harmatology 2024/2025 Discussion Board 1

[Miriam IfeanyiChukwu]

Introduction
Definitions
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “Fact” is defined as something that has an actual existence.
Sin according to Strong’s Concordance is the Greek word hamartia meaning missing the mark, an act of disobedience to Divine law.
The fact about sin refers to the reality or actual existence of sin. A proper understanding of sin has helped me to appreciate the gravity of sin, and therefore the immensity of the sacrifice of Jesus in His substitutional death for the sin of mankind. It has also helped me to extend grace and compassion to those who have not accepted Christ around me so, rather than judging and condemning them knowing that it is the nature of sin in them that is making them commit whatever act of sin they are committing it propels me to preach the gospel to them.
Three facts about sin are:
1) Sin always has consequences and penalties (Ezekiel 18:20, Isaiah 59:2, Rom. 6:23). The penalty for sin is death. Adam’s eyes were opened immediately he ate the fruit God asked him not to eat and died spiritually.

2) Sin is a universal experience (Rom. 3:23). When Adam sinned against God, He plugged the whole human race into sin because he was the representative of man on the earth (Rom. 5:12, Rom. 5:16).

3) Sin is not just an act that is carried out but a nature that is inherited. (Ps. 51:5, Rom. 7:14-25). In Genesis 3, after the Fall, human nature became corrupted by sin. Adam transferred the sinful nature through his seed. This necessitated the coming of Jesus as the Seed of the Woman to escape the sinful nature inherent in man (Gen. 3:15).

The understanding that sin is not just an act but an inherited nature has positively impacted my Christian life in several ways. The knowledge that the nature I inherited from Adam through my parents when I was born was completely changed at my new birth has made me have better experiences, in my walk with God. I now know that I no longer have a sinful nature; I am now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, just by putting my faith in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This knowledge has freed me from the bondage of sin consciousness where confessing sin was a constant practice. When I make mistakes now, all I do is go boldly to the throne of grace according to Heb. 4:16 and obtain mercy.
It has also helped me to take the subject of mind renewal more seriously because the issues of life spring from there (Prov. 4:23).
In conclusion, recognizing sin as a nature and not just an act underscores the need to turn to Jesus for pardon and redemption. No level of morality can save one from an inherited nature. Salvation from sin is in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).