SIN

The Bible and Lutherans teach that the first man and woman lost the image of God when they gave in to the temptation of Satan and disobeyed God's command. This brought on them the judgment of God. Since that time all people are conceived and born in sin, desire to do what is evil, and are dead spiritually. Therefore, we are unable to reconcile ourselves to God by our own efforts and deeds.

Genesis 2:17 You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.

Psalm 51:5 Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Ephesians 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins.

John 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh.

Psalm 5:4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.

Romans 5:12 Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all have sinned.

1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact sin is lawlessness.

Romans 8:7,8 The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law...Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.