Sinful Nature 5.23.21
Jerry Beebe

 

As much goodness as many people display, we need to always remain aware of the sinful nature of humankind.  Even though God made us in His image, Adam and Eve forfeited that image by their rebelliousness against their Creator. Romans 12 tells us that by one man sin entered into the world and since that time generation to generation has a propensity toward selfishness and rebellion against God.  Given the choice, on our own, we naturally will choose to do our own thing.

Proof of the sinful nature of humans abounds.  No one has to teach a child to be selfish.  The news is filled with tragic examples of people acting badly.  Wherever people are, there is trouble.   Sin is part of the very fiber of our being!  That’s why it’s always best to default to the prayer of the man in the New Testament who simply said, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me a sinner.”  (Luke 18)

Just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam) we can find a new nature and hope through another man – JESUS!   I like what John Calvin said, “For certainly, Christ is much more powerful to save than Adam was to ruin.”  Let’s take the advice of the writer of Romans this weeks and “count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”  (6:11)