Man VI; The Race:How Could Eve Have Kept From Messing Up?

Foundations of Faith
MAN (VI)

In this concluding article on man, we shall discuss a few additional features relating to man’s fall into sin.

Original Sin

“Original sin” is a technical expression coined by Bible scholars. It may be used to describe the first sin committed by man. However, it is more commonly used to refer to the result of the first sin-the fallen condition in which every human being is born. God created Adam in His own image and likeness. But that image and likeness was greatly marred due to Adam’s sin; therefore we read that “Adam … begat a son in his own likeness, after his image [rather than in God’s likeness and image]” (Gen. 5:3). The psalmist writes, “I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psa. 51:5); and “The wicked … go astray as soon as they are born” (58:3). Because of their sin, not only did Adam and Eve themselves receive a sin nature, but the whole human race is born with one. We are not viewed as sinners because we sin, but because we are sinners by nature (the root), we commit acts of sin (the fruit). (See Assignment 4)

Adam’s Federal Headship

“Why do I have to suffer because of one man’s sin 6,000 years ago? It just is not fair!” Have you ever heard this or thought it yourself? The answer is that God chose Adam to be the representative of the whole human race. He tested man under the most ideal circumstances-and man flunked the test. God could have tested every one of us in the same way, and He knows that every one of us would have failed. The truth that Adam is the “federal head” or representative of all mankind is the theme of Rom. 5:12-19.

Instead of brooding over our being born with a sin nature because of Adam’s sin, let us focus on the positive side of the passage in Romans 5:”As by the offense of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of One [Jesus Christ] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous” (verses 18,19). Through receiving the free salvation offered as a result of the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf, we transfer from being under the federal headship of Adam to that of Christ. “Is that fair?” we might ask. If we are honest, we must admit that God was totally fair in having Adam represent us in the test of obedience; but it surely was not fair that a totally righteous and obedient Man should suffer so much that we who are unrighteous and disobedient might be saved. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable [or indescribable] gift” (2 Cor. 9:15)!

Why Did God Allow Evil in His Creation in the First Place?

Could not God have created both angels and man without the ability to sin and rebel? Yes, of course He could have! But would that have suited God’s purposes for His relationship with man? Imagine having an electronic, programmable robot as a girl friend or boy friend. You can program it to throw its arms about you at different times and exclaim, “I love you passionately!” But would not this kind of friend wear thin after awhile? Would you not appreciate much more one who could choose either you or a dozen others, and chose you as best friend or life partner?

Just so, God decided that He did not want to create puppets or chatty dolls that obey, serve, and worship on command. He derives far greater pleasure in those who voluntarily obey, serve, and worship Him out of immense gratitude for what He has done for them.

One “Little” Sin- Such Great Consequences

By today’s standards, Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden seems trivial. But what terrible consequences, not only for themselves, but for the whole human race! It is well to keep this in mind in our attempts to win souls to Christ. A common reason people give for refusing the gospel is, “I’m good enough; I’m not a big sinner; I think I have an excellent chance of making it to heaven.” It is well to ask such people, “How many sins did Adam and Eve have to commit to be kicked out of the Garden of Eden?”

Summary:The Peccability of Man and Christ

Here is a word to add to your vocabulary. Perhaps you have learned a related word, “impeccable,” meaning “flawless.” “Peccability” is another technical term used by Bible scholars. It means “capability of sinning.” There are four possible categories that can apply to intelligent beings:

1. Capable of sinning.

2. Incapable of sinning.

3. Capable of not sinning.

4. Incapable of not sinning.

We have already learned that Adam before the Fall fell into classes 1 and 3, and after the Fall became 1 and 4. The Lord Jesus Christ differed from unfallen Adam, being in class 2 (see the August 1994 issue of GROWING). Believers in Christ have both a sin nature (classes 1 and 4) and a new, Christ-like nature (class 2).

Running the Race
HOW COULD EVE HAVE KEPT FROM MESSING UP?

Let’s look at the facts of the case:

1. God commanded Adam not to eat the fruit of a particular tree, and told him the consequences of disobedience (Gen. 2:17).

2. Adam obviously passed this information along to Eve (3:2,3).

3. The information that the serpent gave to Eve disagreed with what Adam had told her (3:3,4).

4. Either (a) Adam misunderstood what God told him, (b) Adam misrepresented to Eve what God told him, (c) Eve misunderstood what Adam told her, or (d) the serpent lied to Eve.

In the face of all these possibilities, what should Eve have done? Obviously, she should have gone to Adam, and Adam to God, if necessary, to clarify the matter. There are important practical lessons here for all of us. Satan wants very much to lead God’s children away from doing His will, just as he tried with Jesus (Matt. 4:1-10). We must be aware of this and constantly pray to God, study His Word, and seek the counsel of others to find out if we are going God’s way or Satan’s way.

Assignment 4: Many people cling to the idea that human beings are basically good. Write out a verse in Jeremiah 17, one in Isaiah 64, and at least three in Romans 3 that declare just the opposite.