The Bible teaches, so Lutherans believe, that from the moment of conception all are sinful and under God’s judgment. Psalm 51:4-5 “Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done what is evil in Thy sight. . . Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.” (NASB) With the exception of Jesus Christ, every human being that was ever or will ever be born cannot help but sin. That is what we are by nature, sinners. Sin is a condition and this condition is called “Original Sin.”
The sins that we commit in thought, word, and deed, those wrongful acts of which we may or may not be aware, are called “Actual Sin.” These are the things we do or fail to do according the Ten Commandments. Jesus said in Mark 10:18 “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” He also said in John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
Death is the proof that sin abides. People of every age die. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Based on these and many other Bible verses Lutherans believe that every human being is in bondage to sin and cannot free themselves. Human beings cannot please God. Yet, God demands perfect obedience. “Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy.” Lev. 19:2
Sins also come in two kinds. Venial and Mortal sins. Venial sins are those sins that Christians commit. Christians are no holier than thou. They are sinners. But they are sinners who know they need a Savior and who confess their sins regularly to Christ in the worship service, before the pastor, and to each other. Mortal sins are deadly sins. They are acts of unbelief and rebellion against God. A person commits mortal sins when he or she refuses to acknowledge them as sins and who refuse to repent and confess before Christ. These are the sins that lead to eternal death, as is taught in 1 John 5:16-17.
But here’s the good news Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Again Romans 5:19 “Through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”
Every human, being regardless of age is a sinner and needs the forgiveness of sins won by Christ’s death. Through God’s Word and the Sacraments God delivers the work of Christ to us. So come to Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church where the Word of God, the Sacraments, and the liturgy are rightly used and His forgiveness is given to you.