Article VI: Of the Fall of Man

Romans 5:12

Not everyone believes what I just read! There are those who believe that man in inherently good and only needs opportunity to display that goodness. That man has within him a divine spark which might burst into flame at any moment. That man is basically god-like and merely craves occasion to demonstrate that god-likeness. That man through self help and good efforts in following a set of rules for conduct may be transformed into the image of God.

However, the Scripture teach something quite different about man. The Bible tells us that man is completely, totally, and absolutely fallen. That there is nothing good in him. That the only hope he has is in the grace of God. That the only hope of heaven is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning work on Calvary.

Man, by voluntary transgression, fell from his sinless and happy state; consequently, all mankind are now sinners. Note: Romans 5:12 To be born is to be born a sinner. Ps. 58:3, "The wicked are estranged from the womb: the go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies." We are sinners because we are born sinners, and we are sinners because we commit sins. When man becomes old enough to know right from wrong, he does wrong!

Genesis chapter three is vital for our understanding of the rest of Scripture. It isn't a myth, nor is it a parable. It is an account of an historical event that actually occurred in the history of the human race! It relates to us the fall of man.

I. The Temptation. Ge. 3:1-6

II. The Target: the Character of God.

III. The Results v7-24

IV. God's Intervention of Grace.

Conclusion: A look at the headlines and newspapers will confirm the truth that the nature of man is wicked and evil. The Scriptures declare this to be so, but the grace of God is seen in the fact that "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passes away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Co. 5:17)