Bible Question:

I have been wrestling with the whole concept of born in sin and it not being my fault. It was Adam and Eve who sinned. The songs and the attitude of the church say that I do not deserve Jesus' love and death on the cross. I think that the basis of my struggle is trying to see a loving God in this and having some self-worth in this. I believe in Jesus and salvation and try to do my best with my sin struggles but have this resentment. I want to get out of it as it hampers my relationship with God and Jesus.

Bible Answer:

Yes, it is true that Adam and Eve sinned in the beginning. Even though sin is not a genetic chromosome in your DNA, it is a human characteristic that is passed from one generation to another. Parents have two arms, two legs, a head, two eyes, two ears, mouth, and teeth and so do our children. Parents pass genetic diseases to their children. Children reflect their parents. The vast majority of children look like their parents and act like their parents. We may not like how we look, but those are the facts of life. That is true of every plant, virus, bacteria, and animal in the universe. Rocks broken from rocks look like and are still rocks. Adam and Eve sinned and so have all their offspring. Sin is inherited from your parents. Our parents were sinners and so are we. Those are the facts of life. James 1:14-16 summarizes our situation.

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:14-16 (NAS95S)

We demonstrate that we are sinners when we sin. We may not like how we physically look, but we cannot do much about it. Yes, we can have plastic surgery performed, put on make-up and some lipstick, go to a hair salon, or wear some great clothes, but that only helps to some degree. We often depend upon others to create these products and perform these procedures for us. We should be thankful for their help. What would it be like if others did not make clothes, lipstick, curling irons, or jewelry for us? Imagine having to make all those things for yourself in order to affect some improvement in yourself. Isn’t it great what others do for us?

In the same way, God has made it possible for you to compensate for your inherited sin nature. Do you like the fact that you are a sinner? Wouldn’t it be great to change this part of you? Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do about it, but God can. He came to the rescue when He came down to earth and died on a cross in order to forgive your sins and start changing you. God did you a favor. God showed His great love for you (Romans 5:8-10). People who have “self-worth” will never come to God and seek His forgiveness. “Self-worth” results in a sense of pride. Such individuals feel good about themselves and do not see any need for God. They will not believe that they have a need for God’s forgiveness. Listen to one of Jesus’ parables,

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:10-14 (NAS95S)

Two men and two very different attitudes. One had “self-worth” and the other did not. The one who struggled about his sorry, spiritual condition was the one God forgave. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said this to the crowd.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3 (NAS95S)

Only those who feel bad about their sin and regret the sinful things that they have done, will enter heaven when they die. Sin is ugly in God’s “eyes.” Unfortunately, we have a wrong view of God because we are sinners. It is our nature to think evil thoughts, do evil things, and to wish evil on others. God is holy and we are not. God is pure. So, why should we feel good about being sinners or being evil? Why should I feel good about my ugly, spiritual condition?

Conclusion:

Jesus came to forgive us. Only then can you have a positive sense of self-worth. Self-worth comes when we have a right relationship with Jesus Christ – when we have peace with God. Not only will God forgive us, but we can go to heaven because we will be totally holy when we leave this life and enter eternity. Wow, now that should make us thankful to God! That is a reason to sing songs of praise to God. We forget to be thankful when we can buy clothes. We are rarely thankful that we have doctors who can help us. We forget about how much we depend upon others. We also forget that God has offered to help us too! All we need to do is to accept Jesus and let Him start changing us to be more like Jesus. I would like to encourage you to study a few lessons that will help explain how God can help us become more like Himself. Please see the links below. May the Lord bless you.

Suggested Links:

The Rescue!
Seated In Heaven!
Power Living
God's Great Passion
Searching for God