Theologians often talk about “original sin,” and in the process it is easy to think they are talking about “original nature.” Original Sin was the sin of independence that both Adam and Eve committed in the garden of Eden, which resulted in a spirit of independence being passed on from Adam to every human being born thereafter. The New Testament refers to it as the “law of sin” that is in our members, and we have referenced it to be like a spiritual virus that influences our human nature to live self-centered lives apart from God. Unfortunately, we have often been led to believe by well-meaning teachers and preachers that even after our spiritual new birth, we are basically by nature not good and that Christ has to exert His power over our fallen nature to keep us from sinning. The truth is, Christians aren’t bad people who are being overcome to do good by a greater power; instead, Christians have become partakers of the divine nature of God in Christ, who are sometimes tempted by a lesser power to sin. “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us in his glory and virtue. Through which things are granted to us precious and magnificent promises, that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” 2 Peter 1:3 – 4.
We reference what happened in the Garden of Eden by the term “the Fall” because humanity fell from something that was already theirs. Mankind was created to contain and display the presence and nature of God, and in the Fall, mankind fell from that lofty identity and destiny. We were created hardwired to be in union with the nature of God and to make His nature (glory) known, and that reality defines our original state and nature. The image and likeness of God were forfeited in the garden of Eden, but through the finished work of Christ, it has been restored, and therefore we have been restored to our true, authentic, and original nature, which is union with His nature and will. Original Sin is not your original nature. Jesus is your authentic blueprint, not fallen Adam. The desire to do good is the true you. The Scripture says because we are in Christ that we were born holy, and the New Testament call for us who are holy is to be ourselves in Christ by being holy in all our behavior. Those “ought to’s” in you are the true “want to’s” that represent who you truly are as a new creation in Christ. As hard as it is for you to believe, but because you are now in Christ, you are naturally prone to do His will. Christians don’t sin by nature anymore; they sin by choice. Because you are the righteousness of God in Christ, the most innocent thoughts in you is the truth about you. Our mind does have to be renewed because the law of sin has affected our thinking, but the fallen false self that came out of the garden is actually the most unfamiliar self. It is okay to believe that you are good and that walking in righteousness is what you are most comfortable with. When we become Christians, we are immersed into an ancient familiarity that existed before the Fall of Adam. Those thoughts that you’ve had that somehow you were created for something noble, or something that emanates greatness, are not just fantasy and imagination. Those thoughts represent the original you restored in Christ, calling you to tear off the Dragon skin and live the life of meaning, nobility, and destiny that saints live.