The nature and power of sin has existed within humanity since the Fall of Adam. The Bible is quite clear that a child from birth is polluted with sin. In the following verse the “Original Sin” is pointed out. In the Greek text it points out Original Sin as ”the sin” that reigns unto death. The sin includes mans fallen state and sinful conduct as well.

Romans 5:21…That as (the) sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord

The sin is the power and dominion of sin that has reigned over humanity since the Fall of Adam. The sin is man’s natural propensity of sin inherited from Adam the founding father of humanity. The sin is why God promised a Savior and Redeemer to restore man with what Adam lost.

The sin or inherited sin exists in every child that has been born since the Fall of Adam in the Garden. Sin’s power of death has existed and reigned over humanity since that day and hour. Sin reigns unto death yet the innocent child is still without account to God. Why? How can a child that is polluted with sin still yet be innocent in the eyes of God? The Holy Scripture clearly states…

Romans 7:9…For I was alive without the law once:

Alive without the Law is the state of a child before the age of accountability without knowledge about sin or God.  Alive was zoe life or a quickening like Adam had before the Fall. A child is innocent, not guilty, and without knowledge of sin in the presence of a Just God. A child is not under Judgment or condemnation that comes from sin’s dominion that compels man to act, sinfully. A child polluted with sin is not guilty for Adam’s sin but only becomes guilty when the knowledge of sin comes.

Romans 5:13…but sin is not imputed when there is no law

Sin which has a two-fold meaning is not limited to sinful conduct only. Sinful conduct is only the act of sin. The sinful nature is an entity inherited in the human soul since Adam fell. The picture of sin should not be viewed as the act of sin only…but also the very nature of sin that causes children to lie, steal, sneak, cheat, hate, etc.  Scriptures teach that a child is polluted with sin from birth… but not accountable until knowledge of sin and God comes.

Romans 7:9…but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Indwelling sin exists within a child from birth! Indwelling sin remains dormant within a child of God! How? Why? Sin is not revived. Revival means it exists. Indwelling sin in the heart of a child is not “revived” without the knowledge of God. A child has no knowledge. Only knowledge about God shows a sinful man what he actually is in light of God.  A child without knowledge…is without understanding of sin or God.

The Holy Commandments were given to Israel to reveal sin to Israel. The Commandments kept Israel holy similar to how the Spirit keeps us holy today. As Jewish people grew older through adolescence they learned the knowledge and holiness of God’s Word and His oracles given to Israel. Accountability to God comes when God’s holiness and righteousness are revealed.

In the holiness of God’s Commandments …Indwelling sin is “revived”. Revived means sin exists yet is not previously made known. Revived means sin is brought to man’s attention or thinking.

Romans 7:9…but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

When the knowledge of the Holy Commandments comes into man’s mental process sin is revealed by the knowledge of God’s Law. The Holiness of the Commandments were life restored into the believing hearts of men and women in Israel. Holiness and life from God’s Law and Commandments were deliverance from sin, death, and separation from God.  In the holiness of God’s Commandments life and innocence were found through the presence of God’s Mighty hand. Accountability to God was recognized through God’s Commands. The acts of sin only take occasion by man’s knowledge of God’s Holiness given in the Commandments. Deception caused from the root of sin was thus revealed from the truth and holiness of God’s Commandments. 

Romans 3:19…for by the law is the knowledge of sin

Knowledge of the Law and Commandments brought accountability to Israel. Without knowledge of the Law there was no accountability. That’s why Paul spoke of when he was a child.

Romans 7:9-11…For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Do not limit sin to just an act only. The root of  sin inherited from Adam is what causes men to sin.  Do not forget the fact that sin’s dominion over man has reigned since Adam fell in the Garden. Do forget the fact that a child is innocent (even though polluted with sin) in the eyes of God until accountability comes through knowledge. Sin is revived only because it exists.

All of that written to say this, “Unlike any other religion on planet Earth, this is why God promised Christ to be a Savior for humanity”.