The Water We Swim In: Understanding "Born into Sin" in a Broken World

Have you ever felt like something is just… off with the world? Like there’s a fundamental brokenness, a pervasive struggle that we all seem to inherit, no matter how hard we try to do good? It's that nagging feeling that something is deeply, inherently wrong, despite all our best intentions. Today, for The Ablogalypse, I want to explore a profound idea, one that might just help us understand this deep-seated reality we're living in.

My theory is this: when the Christian Bible says we are born "into sin," it's talking about more than just making bad choices. It's talking about a fundamental state of being. And that state, I believe, is intrinsically linked to our material world. Think of it like this: we are fish, and the water we swim in, the very environment that sustains us, is sin. This analogy powerfully conveys how pervasive and inescapable this condition is for us. It’s not just a bad habit; it's the very air we breathe, the ground beneath our feet.

Let's dive deeper into this idea, exploring what Christian thought and the Bible tell us about this "water" we're born into.

For centuries, Christians have grappled with what it means to be "born into sin." It’s not just that we choose to sin, but that we seem to have a tendency towards it from the very beginning. It's like we're hardwired for it, right out of the box.

So, when we talk about being "born into sin," we're talking about a "corruption of our nature," a spiritual defect that messes with our desires, priorities, and motives. It's a "state of alienation from God and rebellion against Him." This sets the stage for our analogy: the "water" is this pervasive, inherited condition. It’s not a choice we make; it’s the default setting.

Now, let's connect this "state of sin" to the material world around us. Because it's easy for the heathen elite to just dismiss this as some abstract spiritual concept.

The "fish in water" analogy is incredibly powerful for conveying the pervasive and inescapable nature of sin as a "state of being." Just as a fish cannot exist outside of water, we are born into and operate within a reality profoundly shaped and permeated by sin. It captures the idea that sin isn't just a series of isolated actions, but an "environment" or "condition" that affects every aspect of human existence. It's our default setting, the reality we breathe.

This understanding of sin as a pervasive "state of being" has profound implications. It changes how we see everything.

It helps us grasp "systemic sin"—the idea that sin isn't just individual bad choices, but is "woven into the ways that we live." Think of injustice, racism, corruption, or consumerism. These aren't just isolated acts; they are collective expressions of humanity's fallen nature, polluting the "water" we all swim in. Our ignorance of these systemic evils can even make us complicit. You can try to be a good fish, but if the water is toxic, you're still in trouble.

If sin is this pervasive, inescapable "water," then we need a radical solution. This is where Jesus Christ comes in. His atoning work is a "metaphysical solution to sin," addressing it as a profound offense against the very fabric of being. Through Christ, we are "born again" (John 3:6), receiving a "new nature" (2 Corinthians 5:17). It’s not just a fresh coat of paint; it’s a whole new operating system.

Does this mean we're just passive victims, floating along with the current? Not at all. While we are born into this sinful "state" and are described as "slaves of sin," we are still responsible moral agents. We retain "reason, conscience, and freedom of choice." We "willingly participate in a universal rebellion against God." The "water" predisposes us to sin, but we still perform those sinful actions and are accountable.

So, when the Bible says we are "born into sin," it's a profound statement about our pervasive, inherited condition within a fallen world. It's like being fish in water—we are immersed in an environment shaped by sin, both individually and systemically. It’s the background hum of everything that’s just… off.

But here's the good news, the profound hope that cuts through all the garbage: Jesus Christ offers a comprehensive solution. He doesn't just save us from the water; He transforms us, the "fish," and promises to ultimately transform the "water" itself, ushering in a new creation. This understanding should change how we see ourselves, others, and God's powerful work in the world. It calls us to recognize the depth of our need for grace and to participate in God's ongoing work of redemption, both in our lives and in the world around us.

May this truth empower you to live with greater awareness, deeper humility, and boundless hope in the transforming power of Christ. Amen.

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