Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’ s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called Original Sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions.
The fallen condition into which Adam plunged all humanity is a pervasive and total depravity. Not that humanity is as bad as it could be but that its corruption is full. We are fully corrupted in every aspect of our humanity. There is no island or miniscule sliver of righteousness remaining. Scripture is emphatic that Adam introduced sin into the world and that death spread to all who come from Adam as his progeny. Death, corruption and depravity mark every faculty of the fallen man (Romans 5:12,19).
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
The universality of this condition is also clear, “‘There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God… Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.’” (Romans 3:10–19)
This deplorable condition is then summarily termed deadness.
Sin = Death
or if you prefer, if you are dying (or will die) then you are a sinner.
This equation is universal and Paul speaking concerning humanity says, “…you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Ephesians 2:1–3)
The New Testament only echoes what has been the condition of mankind from that day in which Adam fell. It echoes what Genesis records concerning the Lord’s assessment of mankind, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)
Paul, following in these footsteps then says, “because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:7–8)
The whole of mankind’s condition is one of incapability. Worse than mere incapability, mankind is averse to change, being drug further down by our own desires. Temptation takes each of us further into the pit of corruption as James reports, “… each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” (James 1:14–15)
Jesus the Creator knows the heart of mankind better than anyone else. He knows both the original righteous state of man’s heart but He also knows its fallen condition “…out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” (Matthew 15:19)
The fallen heart is no help to mankind even if it were willing, which it is not. What is needed is not a willing heart but a new heart. A new heart given by God, by the Creator God who formed man originally must die in our place. This is what Paul rightly concludes: “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)
And that men may be brought to believe, God mercifully sends the messengers of these most joyful tidings to whom He will and at what time He pleases; by whose ministry men are called to repentance and faith in Christ crucified. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? (Rom. 10:14, 15)
Canons of Dort: First head of Doctrine, Article 3
This is the gospel: a good word from God, about Jesus, who has done what we could not. Unless the Spirit of God replaces man’s wicked heart with a new heart, this will not be good news at all. Indeed, it will be a word that grates against man’s sense of self willed life. This is summarized well by Dr. Ridderbos.
The real and deepest cause for the Jewish rejection of Christ the crucified lies in the fact that the cross deprives man of his own righteousness. The scandal of the cross therefore ought to be maintained, and one may not meet halfway the man who is offended at it by permitting him after all to provide in part for his righteousness (circumcision in Gal. 5:11).
Herman Ridderbos, Paul: an outline of his theology.
There is no room for a “man plus God” solution to sin. There is the Man/God (Jesus) and His Fathers grace or there is ruin. Calvin and Augustine both assert this boldly:
For when we are taught to contend in our own strength, what more is done than to lift us up, and then leave us to lean on a reed which immediately gives way? Indeed, our strength is exaggerated when it is compared to a reed. All that foolish men invent and prattle on this subject is mere smoke. Wherefore, it is not without reason that Augustine so often repeats the well-known saying, that free will is more destroyed than established by its defenders (August. in Evang. Joann. Tract. 81).
John Calvin, ICR, Book 2 chapter 2
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