The following is a brief confession from a series written for my Systematic Theology classes.
I believe that sin entered the world when Adam and Eve, tempted by the serpent, doubted God’s word and chose to violate His command (Gen 3:1-6, 2 Cor 11:3, Rom 5:12). Their eyes were opened to discern good from evil, resulting in their awareness of their guilt and the resulting feeling of shame; this caused them to hide from God (Gen 3:7-13). Through their sin, the image of God in all humanity has been marred (Matt 7:11, Jer 17:9, Gen 8:21), the creation afflicted (Gen 3:14-19), and death introduced (Gen 3:22, Rom 5:12, 1 Cor 15:21).
I believe that all of us have inherited a sinful nature through Adam, are predisposed to act selfishly and in opposition to God’s will and purpose (Jer 17:9, Rom 8:5-8, Eph 2:1-2, 4:19), and are enslaved by sin (Gen 6:5, 1 Kgs 8:46, Rom 3:23, 1 John 1:8). Even when there is no overtly sinful activity, all are guilty by nature (1 John 3:15, Lev 5:17).
I believe that we are guilty both by the original sin we inherited from Adam, and by the actual sins we commit (Rom 7:18, Ezek 18:20). These sins include the overt things we do in disobedience to God and His Word (1 John 3:4, Isa 1:2), the things we neglect to do in accordance to His will (Matt 6:14, 1 John 5:17), and the thoughts and beliefs which, though they may be unintentional, reflect the complete corruption of our nature (Mark 7:21-23, Ps 5:9).
I believe that the result and penalty of both inherited and committed sin is physical and spiritual death (1 Tim 5:6, Rom 6:23). In addition, the consequences of sin continue to be experienced in general terms such as disease, violent weather, and the like, and in a personal sense when a person experiences the natural consequences of their own sinful activity or those of a previous generation (Exod 20:5, Num 14:33, Ps 37:28, Prov 14:11, Isa 14:20, Lam 5:7). Nevertheless, all forms of disability and disease cannot and should not be directly linked to particular sin (John 9:3).
I believe God sent His Son to pay the penalty for sin once for all, and in His life, death and resurrection, overcame sin (1 John 1:7, Rom 6:8-11, Heb 9:14, 22, 1 Pet 1:18-19). Therefore, whoever would put their trust in Him, and repent of their sin, will be forgiven and set free from slavery to sin (Rom 6:18).