Bible Question:
Which scriptures show mankind's potential to sin?
Bible Answer:
Man is a sinner. That is the most blatant, straightforward statement about man’s potential to sin that exists in the Bible.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (NASB) Rom. 5:8
God also tells us that each and every one of us has sinned. No one is perfect.
. . .as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one. Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (NASB) Rom. 3:10-18
The following verse summarizes the message that each and every one of us has sinned.
. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . (NASB) Rom. 3:23
As a result, we need God’s help. Since He is holy and we are sinners, we need His forgiveness or we will spend eternity in torment. Since we have sinned, we are doomed to spiritual death. But God saw our situation and felt compassion for us. As a result, He sent Jesus Christ to die and suffer in our place. We can escape our situation by believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. That is the message of the following verses,
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB) Rom. 6:23
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (NASB) John 3:16
Conclusion:
Forgiveness for our sins is free. We do not have to perform any acts or keep a list of rules. All that God asks is that we believe in Jesus, who is our God and who died for our sins. We would encourage you to read “Searching For God” for more information. You will discover how to please God even while you are still a sinner.