Here is an interesting true story I recently read that reminds us of the disastrous consequences of Original Sin.
In May 2000 a lady found a new e-mail message on her computer which simply said, “I love you”. It looked innocent enough, perhaps even romantic. Like most of us would, she clicked to open the message, and the so-called “Love Bug” was born. With lightning speed it raced around the world, bringing politics and business to a halt. It was a deadly computer virus (worm) that caused millions of computers to crash. One virus, but so much contamination. (Sounds a lot like Pandora’s Box, doesn’t it?)
It is not the first time that a single virus has caused so much grief to mankind. A much deadlier virus hit Planet Earth at the beginning, polluting the first human couple, Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). Despite God’s warning not to click on to Satan’s message, they did so with appalling consequences for them, and through them, to all mankind. The virus is called Sin. We live in a messed-up world. No one would argue with that. The Bible gives us a clear reason why: “through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). Adam messed everything up, and we have succeeded at keeping it in that condition.
Donald Grey Barnhouse (pastor, author, Bible commentator) wrote, “No doctrine of the Bible is as easy to prove as the doctrine of original sin. … Men hate the doctrine of original sin and seek to deny its existence, but it still stands. They substitute the theory of ascent for the doctrine of descent, but the fall still confronts them. Even if they could sweep away the indestructible revelation of God, their very deeds expose man’s sinfulness. And if men deny the evidence of their senses, their own hearts proclaim kinship to death, which envelops all the race. Apart from the doctrine of the Fall, there is no explanation for the course of human history. If the first three chapters of Genesis were destroyed, the facts of history would demand that they be rewritten to account for all that has followed since the day when man turned away from God and lost the image in which he was created. Our text stands secure: By one man sin entered.” (Romans, III, p. 29)
Is mankind inherently good, neutral, or evil? This question has been asked countless times through the ages. The prevailing thought appears to be that man is neutral, that he is a “blank slate” and his future will be determined by what is written on the blank slate. It will be determined by his environment (eg, family), education (or lack of), etc.
But the Bible declares that sin entered the world and its consequences have been devastating. What was the immediate result of Adam and Eve’s sin? They were confronted and judged by God, including getting evicted from the beautiful Garden of Eden. Their sin changed everything!
Have you heard this cute explanation? One day Adam and his sons were out for a walk and happened by the Garden of Eden. One of the boys asked, “Dad, what is that place?” Adam responded, “Sons, that is where we used to live, but your mother ate us out of house and home.” (I guess Adam forgot that he also partook of the forbidden fruit!)
Adam and Eve’s sin did not just affect them only; it has infected every person ever born on this planet (except one, Jesus Christ). The tragedy is that one man brought sin into humanity, but the Good News is that another man brought the possibility of salvation to every person. According to Romans 5, every person is either in Adam or in Christ. Death comes through Adam but Life – abundant life now and eternal life forevermore – comes through Jesus Christ (v12-19). Praise His wonderful and matchless Name!
This Sunday, October 9, we will continue our fall teaching series, “We Believe!” with “The Fall of Man!” Original Sin brought terrifying consequences but thankfully it is not the end of the story. Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations.
Coming Up: Ladies and girls, plan to attend the Hawaii Assembly of God District Women’s Ministries “One Conference” at Kalihi Union Church on October 14-15. This Sunday’s 9:30am Adult Bible Study is on Gratitude.
Aloha ke Akua!
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