What do we believe about sin?
The United Methodist doctrine is this: because of rebellion against God going all the way back to Adam, all persons are inclined toward sin and selfishness. Sin means missing the mark of God's righteousness; it means to be in rebellion against God, to disobey his laws.
A person by strength of will power alone cannot forsake sin and please God. Only through an intervention of God's grace can a person overcome sin and become part of the Kingdom of God.
Article VII, The Articles of Religion, The Book of Discipline:
"...man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually."
Article VII, The Confession of Faith, The Book of Discipline:
"We believe man is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is destitute of holiness and inclined toward evil. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. In his own strength, without divine grace, man cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God..."
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