🤔 What Does It Mean That Man Is Born Sinful, and Why Is It Important?

👶 Being "born sinful" means that humans are naturally inclined to sin from birth.

🌱 This isn't just about doing bad things — it's a condition. Sin isn't simply actions but a state of being, like a disease that affects every part of us.

📖 The Bible explains this in many places, such as Romans 5:12, which says, "As by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin, so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned."

💭 One way to know if this is true is to ask, "Can humans die?"

💔 Tragically, even babies can die, showing that sin affects everyone from the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5).

🔄 This condition, called original sin, means we are born separated from God and naturally self-centered.

Sin shows itself in two ways:

1️⃣ Original sin (our sinful nature)

2️⃣ Actual sins (the wrong things we do or fail to do, like breaking the Ten Commandments)

🎯 But fixing outward actions doesn't address the deeper problem. The real issue is the disease of sin itself.

✝️ This is why Christianity isn't about "trying harder" or earning salvation through good behavior. Instead, it's about receiving Jesus, who is the cure.

⚡ Jesus took on our sin — original and actual — on the cross, offering forgiveness and life.

📜 As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God."

🔍 Understanding original sin helps us see why Christ's work matters.

🎁 It shows that Christianity isn't a self-improvement plan; it's about receiving God's gift of forgiveness through Jesus.

⚖️ Without this understanding, Christianity could become just another set of rules.

🙏 Instead, it's about grace — being united with Christ through baptism, receiving communion, and living in the forgiveness He gives.

❤️ In short, original sin explains why the world is broken and why we need Jesus. Through Him, we find life and hope.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

📖 When you read the book of Proverbs as a Lutheran, it's important to keep Jesus at the center of the conversation.

⚖️ The law in Proverbs can make you uncomfortable as it shows how things are supposed to be, and we may feel like we don't measure up.

✝️ But remember, the law is never the only word, and it has no bearing on your salvation in Christ.

The law is a gift in two ways - 🎁

👑 It paints a picture of Jesus (Not you. The gospel describes you.)

💗 It shows you're a sinner in need of a savior.

⚡ The crucial thing to remember is that the law should NEVER burden your conscience about your salvation.

🌟 Your identity isn't defined by how well you follow these rules — it's defined by the gospel.

❤️ You are someone Christ died for, someone who is baptized.

🌙 When you feel that midnight self-hatred creeping in about how you've failed to measure up, remember: you're not supposed to be God. You're supposed to be the one God died for.

🦁 Think of the law like a lion. You wouldn't want to get close to a lion in the wild — it would kill you! But when the lion is safely in its cage at the zoo, you can appreciate its beauty and power.

🔒 Similarly, when the gospel "cages" the law through Christ's work on the cross, you can appreciate the wisdom in Proverbs without being threatened by it.

📚 So yes, read Proverbs! It's full of good gifts.

🙏 But whenever you see words like "wisdom" or read about fulfilling the law, make sure you're thinking about your God, not yourself.

✨ When you approach Proverbs this way — through the lens of Christ's perfect fulfillment and your salvation through Him — it becomes a gift instead of a burden.

🌈 You can appreciate God's beautiful design for life while resting secure in His grace.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #proverbs

✝️ We know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so why do we default to the law?

❤️ You probably feel this inner drive to earn God's approval — that's normal. It's like we're all programmed with this instinct to follow rules and try to be "good enough."

😔 When you mess up (which everyone does), you might think you need to work harder to make up for it.

🌟 But here's the thing: You can't earn your way into heaven, and you don't need to. Jesus already did the heavy lifting.

⚡️ Think of it like this — you can't put Jesus back in the tomb. He died for you, rose again, and that's a done deal. You can't mess it up.

📜 The law isn't bad — it helps guide you and protect others.

✨ But following rules isn't what saves you. That's all Jesus.

🤔 You might be thinking, "So what am I supposed to do as a Christian?" It's not about checking boxes or proving yourself worthy.

💫 Sure, you'll still struggle with wanting to prove yourself — that's your human nature. But every time that happens, remember: You don't need to impress God.

🙏 Jesus already took care of everything. Your job isn't to be perfect; it's to trust that His perfect love is enough.

🎮 It's like having the cheat codes to life — but instead of feeling guilty about it, you get to live freely, knowing you're covered. Pretty cool, right?

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #law