Chapter - 6 WHY DO WE GROW OLD AND DIE

HOW SIN AND DEATH SPREAD

Satan had apparently  succeeded in his scheme to receive human veneration. Yet, he could not keep  his worshipers alive.  When sin started to work in the first human couple,  they could no longer pass on perfection to their offspring.  Like an inscription carved in stone, sin was deeply engraved  into the genes of our first parents.  Thus, they could produce only imperfect offspring.  Since all their children were conceive after Adam and Eve sinned,   their offspring inherited sin and death. -Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12.

Today, however, many do not think that they are sinners.  In some parts of the world, the concept of inherited sin is generally unknown.  But that is no proof that sin does  not exist.   A boy with a dirty face may claim that he is clean, and may be convinced otherwise only after he looks into a mirror.  The ancient Israelites were  like such a boy when they received God's Law through His prophet Moses.   The Law made it plain that sin existed.  "Really I would not have come  to know sin if it had not been for the Law,"  explains the apostle Paul.  (Romans 7:7-12) Like the boy looking into a mirror, by  using the Law to look at themselves, the Israelites could see that they were unclean in Jehovah's eyes.

By looking into the mirror of God's Word and noting its standards,m we can see that we are imperfect.  (James 1:23-25)  For example, consider what Jesus Christ told his disciples about loving God and their neighbor, as recorded at Matthew 22:37-40. How often humans miss the mark in these areas!  Many do not feel even a twinge of conscience over failing to show love for God or for their neighbors. -Luke 10:29-37.

Next time: BEWARE OF SATAN'S TACTICS!

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life