Presence of the Curse

Calvin brings into clear focus the contrast of what man was created to be versus what he ended up being - "in place of wisdom, virtue, holiness, truth, and justice, with which adornments he had been clad, there came forth the most filthy plagues, blindness, impotence, impurity, vanity, and injustice" all due to what is termed as original sin, this being inherited by all mankind. Scripture is clear there can be no argument that we all find ourselves in this state that David so vividly described - "begotten by iniquities, and conceived by his mother in sin." (Psalm 51:5) 2.1.5

The beginning must truly start with Adam and Eve as the "root of human nature" as stated in Romans 5:12 - "As through man sin came into the world and through sin death, which spread among all men when all sinned." We must understand that our position or standing can only be recovered through Christ, by His transfusing into us the power of His righteousness. 2.1.6

Adam lost for all mankind the gifts given by God, "hence rotten branches came forth from a rotten root, which transmitted thrie rottenness to the other sprigs sprouting from them." It is here-in we find a continuing stream from parent to child. 2.1.7

Original sin defined by Calvin - "seems to be a hereditary depravity and corruption of our nature,diffused into all parets of our soul, which first makes us liable to God's wrath, then also brings forth in us those works which Scripture calls 'works of the flesh'". This nothing more than sin. We come into this world faulty and corrupt before a holy and righteousness God, who demands no less. This condition continues in us bearing fruit and is only changed when we are are drawn by God's Spirit to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, thereby walking daily - growing in His image.