The ABCs of Holiness Part 1

BLJ:  The postings for the next few days come from D.S. Corlett's booklet, "The ABCs of Holiness." The work, although small, is packed with valuable doctrinal truths.


THE NATURE OF SIN

The foundation for the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification is found in the nature of sin. Unless we have a clear understanding of the nature of sin we will never fully comprehend the doctrine of holiness.

1. What is the nature of sin?

Sin is twofold in its nature; namely, sin a principle of evil within the nature of man; and sin an outward act of disobedience or transgression of the law of God.

2. What is the natural state of man as he is born into this world?

Man is born in a state of innocency before God, but with a sinful nature that is prone to evil. "Were by nature the children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3).

3. Is the individual responsible for this sinful nature in the sense that it brings guilt to his heart?

No, the individual is not responsible for this sinful nature, hence it cannot bring guilt to his heart. It is his misfortune as a member of the human race. "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5).

4. How did this nature of sin enter the human race?

Sin entered the race through Adam and his rebellion against God. Adam because of his transgression was not only made a sinner, but he became sinful in his nature. Through Adam's act sin entered the life stream of the human race and it was henceforth the misfortune of all born into the race to inherit this nature of sin. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world [race]" (Romans 5:12). To be born human is to be born sinful.

5. How does this inherited sin affect the life of man?

His inner life is disordered with a proneness toward evil and he finds it easier to do wrong than to do right. "The children of men ... are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalm 14:2-3). "The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies" (Psalm 58:3).

6. Is there not some positive element of righteousness naturally inherent in man which may be cultivated so that the individual may overcome or correct this inner proneness to evil?

There is no positive element of righteousness inherent in man, his whole being is tainted with this sinful nature so that he finds himself helpless to overcome or correct this inner disorder or proneness to evil. "There is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10). "For I know that in me dwelleth no good thing" (Romans 7:18).

7. Is this nature of sin resident in the physical body of man?

No, this sinful nature is in the individual, not in the physical body. The body cannot sin independent of the individual, it is never the agent in committing sin. The individual is the agent and the body may be used as the instrument of sinning. "As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness" (Romans 6:19). Note it is the individual which yielded the members -- body and powers of soul. As a sinner the individual yielded his members as instruments of his sinning; when he became righteous he yielded those same members as servants or instruments of righteousness.