Our Fallen nature — Our Fallen nature assumes that happiness is contingent on being rewarded with favorable circumstances that are experienced in a physical world existence. When we are living according to our Fallen nature, our soul acts in positive ways toward other people, who we then assume will reciprocate with benefits back to us. From this perspective, happiness depends on achieving successful “fair” exchanges with others. An exchange is deemed fair when the perceived value of what we get back is more or less equivalent to the perceived value of what we gave. In this way, happiness becomes dependent on a life lived where justice prevails (justice being based on perceived fair exchange).

Although most Christians know in their head about the doctrine of grace, our Fallen nature predisposes us to pursue happiness based on this perceived fair exchange—which is a social justice system that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to appropriate unmerited favor in our relationships. This explains why a lot of legalism is found in Christian relationships and in in Christian families.