Article 1 – Original Sin
Original Sin? It’s just human nature, isn’t it?
That question was heavy on the minds of the reformation Lutherans preceding adoption the Formula of Concord in 1580 AD too.
For our time, their diligence still gives wisdom to us. Our society also misunderstands what it is and how it works. There are no societal “original sins,” not racism, classism, nor colonialism. Original Sin only comes into us by the fall in the garden. It is forgiven only in Jesus Christ. And, it is only fully relieved from us in the resurrection. We cannot atone for it ourselves. There is no sin for which Jesus didn’t die. Here are some of points from The Formula of Concord, the Epitome.
Original sin comes to us from the fall. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. [Romans 5:12]”
Original Sin is inherited by natural conception and birth. (In vitro fertilization and c-section birth are still natural. The virgin conception and birth of Jesus are divinely supernatural and outside of Original Sin). “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.“[Psalm 51:4-5]
Concupiscence, which is real sin, is broken by Baptism and the Holy Spirit. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit“. [John 3:5-6]
Human nature is created perfect. “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” [Genesis 1:31]
It is still God who creates and preserves life. “You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you ,and you forgot the God who gave you birth.” [Deuteronomy 32:18]
The only human born in a supernatural way without Original Sin is Jesus. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” [John 1:14]
Jesus suffered all that human nature and life are including temptation by the Devil. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15]
Original Sin is an inward corruption of our Human Nature, that remains with us until the resurrection of all flesh on the last day. “As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”” [Romans 3:10-12 (citing: Ps. 14:1-3; 53:1-3)]
We are not able to fully describe or number our sins. “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.” [Psalm 19:12] In the resurrection, we will finally be from the corruption of Original Sin. “After my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart yearns within me!” [Job 19:26-27]
Jesus died to forgive your Original Sin and to free you from it on the last day.
Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX
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