Are we all sinful when we are born? Yes. Did God create sin? No, He gave mankind a choice. God isn’t a bully. He doesn’t force us to love Him. God knows that forced affection, like coerced confession, is worthless.

 

God created a perfect, sinless world. Adam and Eve were created perfectly to interact with God on a personal level. God gave them the ability and freedom to choose to obey or disobey His commands (Genesis 2:16-17). God is not the author of sin, but He did allow the possibility of sin. Before God created Adam and Eve, He offered His angels the same freedom to choose. Satan, Lucifer, was originally one of God’s most powerful angels. But Satan wanted to be God. He rebelled against God and was thrown out of heaven with many other angels [demons] who supported the rebellion ( Isaiah 14:12 and Revelation 12:7-9).

 

Adam and Eve chose to listen to Satan instead of God. They ate the fruit of the tree that was forbidden (Genesis 3:1-7). God did not tempt them; Satan did (James 1:13-14). God allowed the possibility of evil. God gave Adam and Eve free will and with that, the right to decide. They chose to be disobedient to His command. Because of their decision, sin polluted God’s perfect world.

 

As a result of the choices Adam and Eve made, we are sinful from the day we are conceived in our mother’s womb (Psalm 51:5) and we continue to struggle with sin even in our Chris”an walk. Selfishness, greed, and rebellion come quite naturally to us humans. We are sinners, and only when we admit that and look for a solution will we find living hope. Our hope is in God’s grace and forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ. He alone sets us free from the penalty and the power of sin.

 

Look at the choices you have made over the years and the choices you are making now. What power are you giving sin in your life? Be honest with yourself and confess all sin, place it under the power of Christ that you might receive victory and hope. Let your life be a testimony to the power of God alive in you through Christ Jesus the Lord!

 

In His Service,

Eric Barnes