Are we cursed or created with original sin?

Bible Question:

The website states that the wages of sin is spiritual death; but then it says that Christ never spiritually died because He remained the spotless lamb. Doesn't this show that Christ's trauma in the Garden of Gethsemane was caused by His coming physical torture? If so, doesn't this show us that we are not cursed with “original sin”/spiritual death, but are created with it?

Bible Answer:

The subject of original sin is of utmost importance. We will look at each question by itself as each one is a whole subject by itself. Your first statement is true. God tells us that the wages of our sins is spiritual death. We deserve to die spiritually because we do not obey God.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NASB) Romans 6:23

The Bible says that God became a man so that He could die a physical death. He had to die in our place – a life for a life. He was Jesus. As a man Jesus was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1-11) and He had to resist. A person can be tempted and not sin (James 1:13-15). Jesus was tempted and grieved over the coming of pain and suffering, but He never sinned. Sin means “to disobey God.” Jesus never disobeyed God. He never sinned.

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (NASB) Hebrews 2:17-18

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (NASB) Hebrews 4:14-15

Torture In The Garden

When Jesus was in the garden, He struggled because of the coming pain and suffering.

Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (NASB) 1 Peter 2:21-24

If Jesus had not struggled, then many would think that He was not human or that it was not possible for God to understand our pain. Jesus suffered more than any of us because most of us, if not all of us, would have refused to die. We would have disobeyed God and sinned.

Original, Imputed, and Personal Sin

All of us were born as sinners. Adam committed the first sin – the original sin. When Adam sinned, his descendants became sinners. In theology we say that Adam’s sin was imputed to us. We call it “imputed sin.”

For as in Adam all die . . . (NASB) 1 Corinthians 15:22

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners . . . (NASB) Romans 5:19

Therefore, when we are born into this world, we are born as sinners. We will sin because we are not holy. We show that we are sinners when we are tempted to sin and then give in (James 1:13-15). This is called personal sin. Jesus was born into this world holy. In fact, Jesus could not sin.

Conclusion:

Adam commited the “original sin.” As a result, sin is imputed to us and we demonstrate that we are sinners when we commit personal sin. We are born into this world as sinners and we show it every day.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. (NASB) Ps 51:5

Jesus was born holy. He died holy and His return to life proved that He was holy.