What and where is sin. What is its effect and our victory over it What and where is sin? What is its effect and our victory over it? The Debate!   “Are we corrupt sinners by nature saved by Grace, or are we empowered by Grace to be victorious over the consequences of sin’s corrupt nature"?

The origin of sin– Because of Adam’s disobedience, but not through him Romans 5(12) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— (Sin is in the world and brings death to all humanity.)   Notice the last phrase says, “because all sinned.” This leads us to believe that death spread to all of humanity because each person's sins. Latin translation did not say, “Because all sinned” but rather “in whom all have sinned.” From this mistranslation of Romans 5:12, Augustine concluded that all of humanity was in Adam when he sinned. “But even the infants, not personally in their own life, but according to the common origin of the human race, have God’s entire broken covenant in that one in whom all have sinned.” (Augustine)

Common Sense Christianity Adam’s sin and death could not be passed through a generation that had been forgiven, cleansed, and made a new creature in Christ. However sin is still in the world and Christians can still be “infected “ and are affected. Each and every person has sinned or has been touched by sin, and hence, suffers the consequences of sin. I do NOT believe I’m intrinsically evil, ( a sinner saved by grace) but I do have the responsibility to understand sin and its nature and how it effects my identity as a Saint sustained by Grace. ( Behavior matters in the Kingdom)

Apostle Paul’s "pre–Christ" conflict with the two natures. Romans 7 (17-20)  So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.   Note: This is Paul’s condition before he is born again and filled with Spirit of God (Christ in him the hope of Glory).

Flesh Defined Flesh is primarily translated from two Hebrew words: basar and se’er and one Greek word sarx (often translated sin). The term “flesh” can denote the human body. Gen 2 (23a) the man said,“ This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh.  Eph 2 (28-29)  so husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourish and cherish it, just as Christ also does the church. The flesh is weak. MK 14(38)- Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  The flesh is lustful (carnal desires--denotes to covet) Eph 2(3) Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Romans 7(7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Flesh Defined The flesh is weak MK 14(38)- Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Living for the flesh brings death & corruption Gal 6(8a) For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. Romans 86(a) for the mind set on the flesh is death.    4. The flesh is in opposition to the Spirit. Gal 5 (7a) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another. 5. Practicing the deeds of the flesh will disinherit our Kingdom benefits! Gal 5(21b) “I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Flesh was not created naturally sinful. John 1(14) And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  Philippians 2 (6-7) Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Philippians 1 (21-24) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Point: God's design has always been to manifest His Kingdom upon the earth through humanity's natural flesh.