Original sin, another aspect

…Hebrews 7, 9 & 10 "And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. 10For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor."

If you take the statement in Hebrews to its logical conclusion, it means that all mankind was in Adam when he sinned. The first Adam imparted sin and death to all his descendents. People sin because they are sinners by nature. They do not become sinners when they sin. Don't be deceived.

We'd be pushing the pram through the local shopping centre and women would stop to admire this tiny creature with so much energy and vitality. My daughter was a real charmer, even at 9 months old. Yet I saw the other side at home. Manipulative, rebellious and crafty. She needed no education to be that way. It was as natural as breathing. I love my daughter, but I am a realist too.

Guojing said:

You are explaining Romans 5:12-19.

The main issue I see is that, if I adopt TULIP, is that if the first Adam's sin was so powerful that all his descendants became sinners without a choice, why does Jesus's work on the cross still require a choice for us to believe in order to receive his righteousness?

Why is it not automatic too?

Click to expand...

Very simple. The very root of sin is disobedience. God commands sinners to repent. And what do they do? Rebel against the gospel. That's why we need the Holy Spirit to bring conviction. Very few people will admit to being sinners, and if they do, even more rarely do they care.

We are descended from Adam, not Christ. So we inherit Adam's nature. Hebrews 7 has this to say, as I've pointed out in another post:
1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High.a He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time. 4Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder. 5Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham. 6But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on. 9And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. 10For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

Taking the same principle, we are all descended from Adam. How can we not have his sinful nature?