An Inheritance of Original Sin

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.  Romans 5:12

Original sin - that's totally unfair, you say, we didn't even get to commit those sins! Do you want to? Sin fulfills its payroll with a morbid coin. Why should we have to inherit what Adam did? It is like a man walking into his home when a process server approaches him. Are you John Smith owner of this house? Yes, the man replies. You are served. But, it turns out the suit is not even against Mr. Smith himself, but against his father, who had passed away some years before. The amount the plaintiffs demand from the late Mr. Smith is 40 million dollars in hard, cold cash. The son of Mr. Smith hollers out to the Lord that he should not have to pay this sort of inheritance because he did not commit the thing that the plaintiffs allege in the suit. 

There is that other inheritance again, Adam's sin. Why, we holler with indignant unfairness in our voices, we didn't earn that punishment, Adam did! 

Another little fellow with the papers shows up. This fellow finds the nephew of Uncle Mortimer Smith filled with righteous indignation, but quietly contemplating the unfairness of inheritance of original sin. The fellow was nearby and heard that shout from the younger Mr. Smith, but this time he has a court order for the paying out of a large estate. Sure, I'm that Mr. Smith, any of us might say. The little man looks up, "I'll just tear up this check for 50 million dollars then, for you don't believe in inheritance. I'm sure I just heard you tell God how unfair that sort of thing was." Oops.

We rejoice in one form of inheritance, the lots of loot kind, but are generally against the one where we inherit the sins of our fathers all the way back to Adam. Original sin is like our DNA though, we got it whether we like it or not. Like the two stories though, Jesus our Lord has obtained an inheritance that is much better and is glad to share it with the members of His family. All we have to do is what it says in John 3:16 - believe in the Son of God! 

Have a great Friday!

Bucky