Nature vs. Nurture

It's amazing to me how quickly I can fall into sin.

At work today, I was thinking about what it means to have a sin nature. And though I've heard those words together for most of my life, I have not thought about what they mean together.

It's natural for us fallen humans to sin. We cannot help it. It's a part of our very nature. When we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we are no longer enslaved to that sin nature, but until our bodies have died, we will not be rid of its effects - namely, that even though our hearts often intend well, we frequently sin without even thinking about it.

Take selfishness as an example. How easy is it to think only of yourself without even intending to do so? In fact, I would argue that we have to intend to be unselfish in order for it to come about. It's simply not our nature.

But thank goodness we have an infinitely gracious Savior who does not reach a point where He says, "That's too many sins. Your sin nature is just too strong. You're out." Thank goodness that He nurtures us and gives us grace and humility to repent of our sin nature. Even though it's overwhelming, I have to remember that I can't stop trying to be rid of sin, and I can't stop asking for forgiveness when I do sin.