Sin & The Fall
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." — Romans 3:23
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all men."Romans 5:12
Understanding sin is essential to understanding why Jesus came. The doctrine of sin — and specifically the Fall — explains the brokenness of the world and the depth of humanity's need for redemption.
The Fall
Genesis 3 records humanity's original act of rebellion against God. Adam and Eve chose their own wisdom over God's word. The consequences were catastrophic: spiritual death (broken relationship with God), physical death, moral corruption, and disorder in creation itself.
Original Sin
The Fall did not just affect Adam and Eve personally. The Christian doctrine of original sin holds that all their descendants are born with a corrupted nature — inclined toward self rather than God. This is not merely behavioral; it is a condition of the will and heart (Jeremiah 17:9).
The Universality of Sin
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This universality is crucial: no one is exempt. Sin is not just an external act but an internal orientation — pride, self-sufficiency, and idolatry (putting anything before God).
Why This Matters for the Gospel
The doctrine of sin establishes why humanity needs a Savior. A partial problem needs a partial solution; a total problem requires a total rescue. The gospel is glorious precisely because the need is dire. Christ came not to help good people be better, but to give life to the spiritually dead.