Man?s Nature: One?s Invisible Metaphysical Imprint and the Bible

before the individual and God – as one seeks Him on His desires for one’s work and witness. My music testimony, in the Article, “The Founder’s Music Testimony” is as an example of such a process.

Negative Elements: The Sin Problem

There are two basic elements to man’s sin problem. The first is an inherited sin nature. This has bents, or inclinations, toward errant behavior. The second problem involves areas of moral weakness – absent any bent toward that errant behavior. This should really be understood as some area of moral vulnerability – not a character flaw. Neither of these accrue any personal guilt before God. Only the commission of the errant behavior creates guilt.

The Sin Nature

Adam, the first man, was created without a sin nature. He was created in God’s “image” and “likeness” (Gen 1:26). But after he sinned, we find this subtle statement at the birth of his son, Seth: “(Adam) became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image …” (Gen 5:3). Seth entered this world in Adam’s “likeness” and “image” – not God’s. Unfortunately, this new inheritance did not end with Seth. We enter this world “in Adam” (1Cor 15:22). One result? “For the inclination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen 8:21). Each of us are born with at least one sin-bent … probably several … maybe many. No one inherits every possible sin inclination. Some cannot co-exist in the same person. For example, one cannot be a sluggard who “works around work,” – with the life goal of a recliner in front of a

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