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Study 04 of 25

The Nature of Man

Fallen human nature, hopeless in itself, is met entirely by Christ's substitutionary righteousness

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Sequeira traces the creation of humanity in God's image — a spiritual being whose nature was originally controlled by selfless agape-love — and shows how the Fall reversed this, turning love inward toward self. He explains the threefold result of sin: spiritual death (alienation from God), the sentence of physical death inherited by all Adam's descendants, and a weakened human nature enslaved to self and sin. Crucially, he distinguishes this biblical view from the doctrine of inherited guilt (original sin), while still affirming that all are born with weakened, self-centered natures deserving of wrath. He stresses that no amount of human effort, legislation, or education can reverse this condition. The chapter's climax is the gospel remedy: God, in the incarnation, united Christ's holy divine nature to fallen human nature, qualifying Him to be humanity's substitute, live a perfect life, and provide the righteousness fallen humanity could never produce on its own.

Key points

  • Humanity was created in God's image as spiritual beings whose nature reflected selfless agape-love.
  • The Fall turned agape inward into self-centeredness, producing spiritual death, the sentence of physical death, and weakened human nature.
  • The Bible teaches inherited consequences of Adam's sin, not inherited guilt (rejecting the doctrine of Original Sin).
  • Only Christ, uniting divine nature to fallen human nature at the incarnation, could qualify as humanity's substitute and Savior.

Key texts

  • Genesis 1:26-27
  • Romans 5:12, 18
  • Romans 8:3-4

From the book

Chapter 4 · Belief 7 · Read this chapter

  • “His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil.” (ch. 4)
  • “The Bible does not teach that the human race inherited the guilt of Adam’s sin (the heresy of Original Sin).” (ch. 4)
  • “Sinful human nature is beyond repair. No amount of education, legislation, or human effort can reverse the damage caused by the Fall.” (ch. 4)

Put it into practice

  • Notice one moment this week when self-interest surfaces in your own reactions, and bring it to Christ in prayer.
  • Read Romans 7:21-25 and Romans 8:3-4 together, tracing the problem and the solution.
  • Resist the temptation to rely on self-improvement programs alone; anchor your hope in Christ's substitutionary righteousness.
  • Thank God specifically that Christ took on human nature to qualify as your substitute and representative.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What does it mean, according to the author, that humans were created 'in the image of God'?

  2. Doctrinal Clarity

    2. Describe the three results of the Fall on human nature.

  3. Contrast

    3. How does the author distinguish the biblical teaching from the doctrine of 'Original Sin'?

  4. Scripture

    4. Why, according to Paul in 1 Timothy 2:14, was Adam's sin different from Eve's?

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. How does the incarnation qualify Christ to be humanity's substitute, per Hebrews 2:17?

  6. Scripture

    6. What does Ellen White's quote from Steps to Christ say happened to man's nature at the Fall?

  7. Comprehension

    7. Why does the author say no human effort can solve the sin problem, citing the Communist experiment?

  8. Application

    8. How does understanding your inherited, weakened human nature change the way you approach your own spiritual struggles?