Original Pollution
A Sermon on Original Pollution
Originally preached March 19, 1953
Scripture
Sermon Description
How has the fall of Adam affected all of humankind? In this sermon on original pollution, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to answer this question as he expounds on humanity’s state after the fall. He speaks of how the sin of Adam has not only rendered all guilty, but it has corrupted their very soul. This pollution does not change the substance of the human soul, but it bends and inclines it to evil continually. This does not mean that people do not conform to any notion of good, but it means that they do no spiritual good. While people have knowledge of God, it is not a saving knowledge and is suppressed in unrighteousness. This sinful nature alienates all from the righteousness of God. The principle of sinful humanity, the flesh, is not something that merely marks the body, but it corrupts both the soul and body. All are born in this darkness and iniquity. Though they are polluted and totally opposed to spiritual good, God promised that He would provide a savior that will redeem His people from sin. Though all are guilty and polluted, God in Christ is reconciling the world to Him in order to bring about a new people and new creation.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon examines the biblical doctrine of original sin and its consequences. It looks at the effect of Adam's sin on his progeny and all of humanity.
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Original sin has two main aspects: original guilt and original pollution. Original guilt means we are all held guilty for Adam's first sin. Original pollution refers to the sinful condition we inherit from Adam.
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Original pollution is not just a disease but a sinful and guilty condition. It is not a substantial change to the soul but a privation of original righteousness and the presence of positive evil.
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Original pollution manifests in total depravity and total inability. Total depravity means our nature is inherently corrupt, extending to every part of our being. There is no spiritual good in us. We are at enmity with God and misuse our powers.
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The term "flesh" is used to describe this sinful nature and condition. It refers to human nature estranged from the divine life, not the physical body. The flesh is opposed to the spirit.
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In our fleshly state, we lack balance and harmony between body, soul and spirit. We are controlled by self instead of God, leading to selfishness, jealousy and envy. Our faculties become misused and defective. We become slaves to Satan.
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Total inability means we cannot do anything to fundamentally meet God's approval or change our sinful nature. We have no understanding or appreciation of spiritual truth. We cannot come to God or subject ourselves to His law by our own will or efforts.
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Scripture describes our hopeless state in sin and need for salvation. But God promised salvation even as He expelled Adam from Eden. The seed of the woman, Jesus Christ, would defeat the serpent and restore us.
Great Biblical Doctrines
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.