"The Children's Teeth Are Set On Edge"

I have always been uncomfortable with the doctrine of Original Sin. The idea being that because Adam sinned we are all sinners. Why should I be judged for what Adam did? Yes he is my physical father but I didn't have a choice. This is a very important question especially when you deal with the death of a child. Say an infant. If we are all condemned with Adam evcn those who have not had the ability to sin then are all going to hell is we don't have Christ.

It is for this reason that the Catholic Church and others baptize infants. They view Baptism as the sign of the covenant (A view already expressed here) and so to allow the infant to escape eternal punishment they baptise them thereby saving them. The ones not baptised are supposed to have gotten a measure of grace to either be in Pergatory (Catholic) or perhaps they escaped judgement altogether.

These doctrines have a great difficulty when they come into contact with the book of Ezekiel. In particular Ezekiel Eighteen. In verse 2 it begins

"What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: " 'The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?

We have here an introduction to the idea of Original Sin. A man being judged for the actions of another in his liniage. A Son being held responsible for the sins of his Father. The Father Adam has eaten grapes but we are the ones with the sour taste in our mouths. God responds that it will not be so.

The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. -Ezekiel 18:21

Then this doctrine of original Sin is mute is it not? Romans 7:9 confirms this that Paul was once alive apart from the law but when the command came he died. That is once he knew right from wrong and was held accountable (for Jewish culture around the 13th birthday) he died. That is he sinned and it brings death and separation.

Salvation was never based upon obedience but on relationship. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. It was in his belief in God that God choose to save Abraham. It was God's Hesed or loyalty to those that he is in relationship with that saves. In the Old Covenant we must be proven faithful to be blessed. In the New Covenant because Jesus who was God/man has been proven faithful we are accorded his righteousness and the relationship due it.

Remember Galatians 2:15 reads "...by observing the Law no one will be justified." Paul clarifies this in great detail Romans 1-4. Romans 7 shows that the purpose of the Law was not to save but to show us our sinfulness that we might call out to God and be saved by him. What then do we say to verse 21?

²¹ "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.

There is here the basic question are you going to follow after God and do what he commands. Under the Old Covenant you were saved by God not your own righteousness. You merely committed yourself to his way. It is the same in the New Covenant except for "the Way" is Jesus. You can not be considered anymore to be in the way unless you accept the son.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6

It is by accepting him that you are saved.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. - John 3:18

What does this all mean. It means God is just and does not condemn children who do not yet understand sin. But for us who know what is right and wrong we stand condemned because that which we know is right we do not do. What then should we say to those of you who are old enough to know Jesus. Give up your unbelief and follow after Jesus. In the words of Ezekiel vs 31-32

Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!