The Gospel Unveiled: From Depravity to Hope-Part 2 The Universality of Sin

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Sanctified Mind. I am honored that you are watching this and I hope that it will a help to you in your journey as followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Part 1 of this series we established that we are all born in a state of utter depravity and are separated from God because of the sin that came into the world as a result of the actions of Adam.

In today’s lesson, we will explore how the Bible demonstrates the pervasive nature of sin through various examples and stories, highlighting that every individual is affected by sin because of Adam’s sin and our own sinful nature.

If you like using worksheets to follow along in your studies you can download one for this lesson at my website SanctifiedMind.org. In the description below this video, you will find the link that will take you directly to the lesson. All you have to do is click the button on the website and it will give you immediate access to the worksheet for you to print or download. Also, I am providing several passage guides on scripture related to speech for further study. These are free to you and does not require that you give an email address.

As always, my intent is to point you to what scripture has to say so we will be looking at various passages together. If you have your own Bible, I would encourage you to pause the video whenever I reference a specific scripture and use it to look up the passages that we are studying so that you become more familiar navigating the Bible yourself.

Why Discuss the Universality of Sin?

This concept is crucial for several reasons:

Acknowledging Our Common Condition: Recognizing the universality of sin reminds us that we are all in the same boat. It removes any notion that some people are inherently better or worse than others. We all share in the human experience of sin.

Humility:** The awareness of sin's ubiquity fosters humility. It helps us realize that no one is exempt from the need for God's grace. We are all equally in need of His forgiveness and salvation.

The Need for a Savior:** If we are to truly appreciate the need for a Savior, we must first grasp the depth of our sin. The universality of sin makes it evident that we cannot save ourselves; we need a Savior, which sets the stage for understanding the significance of Jesus.

Now, let's explore some biblical examples that vividly illustrate the universality of sin.

**The Universality of Sin in Biblical Examples**

**1. The Fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3):** In the Garden of Eden, we find the story of Adam and Eve's disobedience. Even in a perfect environment, they chose to sin by eating the forbidden fruit. Their actions marked the entrance of sin into the world and set the pattern for human behavior.

  - *Romans 5:12 (ESV):* "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned."

  This verse reinforces the idea that sin's influence extends to all of humanity due to Adam's disobedience.

**2. The Rebellion of Israel (Throughout the Old Testament):** The history of Israel is marked by a repeated cycle of God's deliverance, followed by the people's disobedience and idolatry. Despite witnessing God's miraculous acts, they often turned away from Him.

  - *Psalm 78:10-11 (ESV):* "They did not keep God's covenant, but refused to walk according to his law. They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them."

  The Israelites' rebellion demonstrates the human propensity to sin, even when God's presence and goodness are evident.

**3. Personal Reflection:** As you consider your own life, can you think of moments when you've fallen short, made mistakes, or acted against your own conscience? It's in these experiences that we can personally relate to the universality of sin.

**Conclusion**

Understanding the universality of sin is not meant to depress us, but to set the stage for the good news of the Gospel. It's the backdrop against which the redemption and grace of Jesus Christ shine brightly. We will explore this further in the upcoming sections. 

Before we move on, I invite you to share your thoughts or any reflections you have on the universality of sin and its implications for our need for a Savior.

**Instructor:** In this section, we will delve deeper into the universality of sin, emphasizing that all people, without exception, are affected by sin. Understanding this profound truth is essential in our Christian journey because it underscores the inherent fallen nature of humanity and our universal need for a Savior.

**Why All People Are Affected by Sin**

**1. The Consequences of Adam's Sin:** As we discussed in the previous section, Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden had far-reaching consequences. Adam, as the representative of humanity, brought sin into the world. This act is often referred to as "the fall of man." Because of Adam's sin, sin's influence spread to all his descendants. Romans 5:12 (ESV) reinforces this concept: "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned."

  - This means that from the moment we are born, we inherit a sinful nature, and sin's influence is embedded within us.

**2. The Universality of Personal Sin:** Beyond the inherited sin nature, the Bible also teaches that all individuals, without exception, commit personal sins. Romans 3:23 (ESV) tells us, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse makes it clear that every person has fallen short of God's perfect standard and is in need of His grace and redemption.

**3. The Impact of Personal Experience:** Each of us can look back on our lives and recall moments when we have made choices or taken actions that were contrary to God's will. Whether it's lying, anger, pride, or any other sin, our personal experiences reinforce the reality of sin's presence in our lives.

**The Universality of Sin: Implications and Significance**

Understanding that all people, without exception, are affected by sin has profound implications for our Christian faith:

**1. Humility:** Recognizing that we are all equally in need of God's grace fosters humility. It reminds us that we cannot boast of our own goodness or righteousness.

**2. A Level Playing Field:** It puts everyone on a level playing field. It removes any notion of some being inherently better or worse than others. In the eyes of God, we are all sinners in need of His mercy.

**3. A Call for Salvation:** This truth underscores the universal call to salvation. Since all people are affected by sin, the message of salvation through Jesus Christ is applicable to all. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace.

**4. The Glory of Redemption:** The universality of sin highlights the immense glory of God's redemption through Jesus. It's when we grasp the depth of our fallen state that we can truly appreciate the beauty and power of God's grace in our lives.

In conclusion, the universality of sin reminds us of our common condition as fallen human beings and the universal need for a Savior. It humbles us, calls us to seek God's grace, and magnifies the wonder of His redemptive work in our lives. As we move forward in this lesson, we'll explore how Jesus is that Savior and what it means to trust in Him for our salvation. 

Before we proceed, does anyone have questions, thoughts, or reflections to share regarding the universality of sin and its implications?