Was Jesus Born With A Fallen Sinful Nature or With A Sinless Nature?
How important is this subject? The very core of the gospel is rooted in this subject. A misunderstanding of this subject will led to a misunderstanding of topics such as – Sin, Salvation, Perfection of Character, Keeping of the Commandments, Remnant, Overcoming, Righteousness by Faith, etc. It will affect your eternal destiny.
Keep this point in mind –
Remember, Jesus came to save all men and women including Adam and Eve after they had sinned. All those who were born after their sin,naturally inherited a fallen sinful nature including Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ..
No one ever inherited sinfulness from Adam and Eve neither eternal death (the second death).
1.What is the human nature of Jesus Christ?
Hebrews 2:14 says, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
2. Below is a summary of Hebrews 2:14:
(a). Children are partakers of flesh and blood – i.e. all children are born with a fallen sinful nature.
(b). Jesus Christ took part of the same as children. (It does not say, “As Adam before his fall).
(c). The reason Jesus Christ took part of the same nature as children is - that He could die on the cross.
If Jesus took up the sinless nature of man, He would not be able to die since He would be immortal. In order for Jesus to die on the cross, He had to become mortal. And to become mortal Jesus had to take up the fallen sinful nature.
Note what Ellen G. White says,
Ellen G. White says, “While as a member of the human family He was mortal.“ Desire of Ages, p. 484.
She also says, “He took upon His sinless nature our sinful nature.” Ministry of Healing, p.181
Without taking up the fallen sinful nature of man, Jesus cannot be mortal and He cannot die at Calvary.
3. How did Jesus inherit the Fallen Sinful Nature of Man?
Matthew 1:16 – “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”
Ellen G. White says, “He came with such a heredityto share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life. …” Desire of Ages, p.49
Ellen G. White says, “He (Christ) was to take His position at the head of humanity by taking the nature but not the sinfulness of man.” SDA Bible Commentary, Vol.7, p. 925, (Letter 97, 1898).
Jesus was born from an earthly mother, Mary, and inherited afallen sinful fallen nature from her and became mortal. This was the law of hereditary. But He never inherited His mother’s sinfulness. Similarly,we all inherited a fallen sinful nature from our parents and became mortal, but not their sinfulness.
There was no way Jesus Christ’s humanity would have died on the cross if He had not taken the fallen sinful nature of man and became mortal.
4. Whose seed did Jesus Christ take on Him as a human being? Was it Adam’s?
No! It was Abraham’s seed. Note what Hebrews 2:16 says, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”
5. For what other purpose did Jesus take up the fallen sinful nature and not the sinless nature of man?
Hebrews 2:18 - For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Ellen G. White says, “The Saviour took upon Himself the infirmities of humanity and lived a sinless life, that men might have no fear that because of theweakness of human naturethey could not overcome.” Ministry of Healing, p.180.
No one should fear or make an excuse that a sinless life is not possible due to the weakness of human nature because Jesus became one like us in human nature and proved it.
6. Would Jesus Christ be justified to say that man can keep the law as He did if He came with a sinless nature?
Not so! Mrs. White says,“The Savior’s life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity,” Desire of Ages, p.309.
7. Would Jesus Christ be justified to say that He is our example in keeping the law if He came with a sinless nature?
Certainly not!
Romans 8:3 says, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”
Ellen G. White says, “In taking upon Himself man's nature in itsfallen condition, Christ did not in the least participate in its sin. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses by which man is encompassed,” The Signs of the Times, June 09, 1898. (Re-printed in Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p.256)
Ellen G. White says, “The human nature of Christ is likened to ours, and suffering was more keenly felt by Him; for His spiritual naturewas free from every taint of sin.” Signs of the Times, Dec 9, 1897.
Conclusion:
What human nature did Jesus Christ take upon Him?
Jesus Christ took upon Him the fallen sinful nature of man.
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