That, in a nutshell, is the crux of our problem. We are, by nature, alienated from God. But the primary alienation is in our selfish minds and hearts. Hence, we are told that we need transformation by the renewing of our minds.

Just to make a slight emphasis. Notice my first paragraph. Our body by nature is in harmony with God, it is only the wirering of the brain that is not. And this confused-mis-wirering, to some level, is past down to our children.
I agree.

1. How do you reconcile the quotes I posted in my previous post (omitted above) with the idea we are born with "character"?

2. Are we born with sinless character? If not, why not?

3. Was John the Baptist born with sinless character? If so, how so?

4. Will people who die before the age of accountability be judged according to the character they inherited at birth?

Choices happen when people use their faculties of mind to make decisions. Conduct happens when people act on their choices. Prior to experiencing rebirth, people are slaves and servants of sin, self, and Satan, and are, therefore, incapable of making choices that yield sinless conduct and character.


I believe it means traits and tendencies are passed on.


Do you think our inheritance is a factor in our damnation or condemnation? Also, why wouldn't inherited deformity of character be a factor in judgment? If inheriting deformity of character has no bearing on our eternal destiny, what differences does it make?


Did he inherit lovely traits of character from his sinful parents? Ellen wrote, "Children inherit inclinations to wrong, but they also have many lovely traits of character."

Is a baby born with a personality? Of course yes. He/she is born with personality traits which will be developed as he/she grows. The same is true of character. We are born with good and bad moral traits which form our character, and this character begins to be developed from the moment we are born.


Because we are born with sinful/defective tendencies/traits.


No human being was ever born with a sinless character, except Christ.


No, we can't be judged for what we inherited, just for what we consciously did with what we inherited.

Perhaps it's merely a matter of semantics, but I cannot help thinking the differences between traits and character, as Ellen employed them, is important. I agree with you we are born with the traits and tools necessary to cultivate character, the kind of character that matters in judgment; however, I do not believe we are born with this kind of character. You seem to agree.


What difference, then, does it make? That is, what difference does inheriting sinful character make if we are not judged accordingly? Are we corrupted or contaminated bY it?

Also, what about the "many lovely traits of character" children receive as a birthright? "Children inherit inclinations to wrong, but they also have many lovely traits of character. These should be strengthened and developed, while the tendencies to evil should be carefully guarded against and repressed." {RH, January 24, 1907 par. 7} Are these "lovely traits" sinful or sinless?

Our sinful traits won't condemn us in the judgment but they constitute sins of ignorance (until we become conscious of them) and make us in need of a Saviour.

Human nature is depraved, and is justly condemned by a holy God. {RH, September 17, 1895 par. 7}

The nature of man is in opposition to the divine will, depraved, deformed, and wholly unlike the character of God expressed in his law. {ST, June 9, 1890 par. 12}


A character may have many lovely traits, but if it has a single sinful trait, it is a sinful character.

How can we cultivate a sinful trait of character without realizing we are sinning?

Where does it say Jesus condemns us because we possess sinful flesh nature. I read where it says Jesus condemns the unholy clamorings of sinful flesh nature, but I haven't read where He condemns us because of it.

Also, if the character we inherit from our parents requires the atoning blood of Jesus, will it condemn the unsaved in judgment?


I agree one sinful trait renders the entire character sinful. However, I do not believe it is possible to possess a sinless character save one sinful trait (and vice versa). Do you agree?

Also, is the "many" inherited "lovely traits" Ellen mentioned above the same as sinless traits of character?

PS - I cannot help thinking the differences between traits and character, as Ellen employed them, is important. I agree with you we are born with the traits and tools necessary to cultivate character, the kind of character that matters in judgment; however, I do not believe we are born with this kind of character (as opposed to the kind of character you say doesn't matter in judgment). Do you agree?

It's easy. We begin to do that as babies.


Jesus condemns our sinful nature, because it is in disharmony with His character and law, but He doesn't condemn us because of our nature. As I said, our sinful traits/tendencies are sins of ignorance until we become conscious of them.


No, I believe the blood of Jesus makes provision for the sins of ignorance of all human beings. Men will be condemned by the acts they did which they somehow knew were wrong.


Yes, if I understood correctly what you said.


I suppose so.


I don't believe we will be condemned by the character we inherit at birth. Is this what you are asking?

God does not condemn the "sinful" body. He condemns the "sinful" mind.

The flesh is amoral, merely the tool to act out our passions and desires. But the unholy passions and desires get us in trouble.


He condemns our unholy clamorings, but not us? Sounds like my father when he says he wants to obey God, but his sinful nature causes him to sin. So when he is committing adultery, he is guiltless because it's his sinful nature doing it, not him. Even though he is sinning, he really wants to obey.