Chapter 6 - OF THE FALL OF MAN, OF SIN, AND OF THE PUNISHMENT THEREOF

1 God created humanity to be upright and perfect, giving them a righteous law that would have led to eternal life if they had obeyed it. He warned them that breaking this law would result in death. However, humanity didn't remain in this state of honor for long. Satan, using the cunning of a serpent, deceived Eve. She, in turn, seduced Adam, who, without any coercion, willingly chose to violate the law and command they were given by eating the forbidden fruit. God, in His infinite wisdom and holy plan, allowed this to happen, having already decided to use it to bring glory to Himself.

2 Because of this sin, our first parents lost their original righteousness and communion with God. We also fell with them, which brought death to everyone. We all became spiritually dead and completely corrupted in every part of our mind, body, and soul.

3 Due to God's plan, Adam and Eve were the origin of humanity and acted on behalf of all people. As a result, the guilt of their sin and a corrupted nature were passed down to all of their descendants. Everyone conceived from that point forward is born into sin, is naturally subject to God's wrath, serves sin, and is subject to death and all other forms of suffering—spiritual, worldly, and eternal—unless Jesus Christ sets them free.

4 This inherited sinful nature, which makes us completely unwilling, unable, and opposed to all that is good while being entirely inclined toward evil, is the source of all our sinful actions.

5 Even after being spiritually reborn, a person's corrupt nature remains. Although this sin and its initial impulses are pardoned and mortified through Christ, they are still, in truth, sin.