The poison of sin

A deadly injection:

We know there are certain injections that can kill a person almost instantly. My grandson (5 years old) is just fascinated by poisonous snakes. The rattlesnake really gets his attention, he is just amazed at the damage that rattlesnake venom can inflict on its prey---the Rattlesnake venom is highly Hemotoxic. The venom travels through the bloodstream, destroying tissue and causing swelling, internal bleeding and intense pain.

We have a book on rattlesnakes and he demands that I explain to him all of the technical words that describe the venom of the rattlesnake. For instance, (Rattlesnake venom is a mixture of 5-15 enyzmes, various metal ions, biogenic amines, lipids, free amino acids, proteins, and polypeptides. It contains components designed to immobilize and disable the prey, as well as digestive enzymes which break down tissue to prepare for later ingestion)---so, I must goggle these words and give him a breakdown, it really is pretty cool to see the hunger for knowledge in such a little guy.

When Adam and Eve turned on God, the poison of sin entered their spiritual veins. The venom of sin destroyed their unbroken fellowship with God, and for the first time they suffered the feeling of being guilty before God.

Now, here is some theology: we all have inherited Adam's guilt and corruption, we all have the venom of sin coursing through our veins. This is what theologians call "original sin." Adam included us in his rebellion against God. Adam represented us; Adam's sin was communicated to us all by imputation (a legal declaration), and also by impartation (moral corruption).

This Biblical idea of imputed sin will cause the sinner to raise his head and deny that he/she is in a state of rebellion against God and in need of a Savior. The Biblical doctrine of sin will cause the unconverted to exclaim, " I'm not really that bad, I may have done some bad things, but I've certainly done more good than bad."

The psalmist puts it like this, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me" (Ps. 51:5). The Apostle Paul tells us " All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Listen finally to the Apostle Paul, where he starts out with our condition before God and then finishes with God's remedy:

 "Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone (Romans 5:18).

 Father, thank You for bringing us into a right relationship with Yourself. Thank you for Your provision and remedy for our sin---To God be all honor and all glory, Amen.