Saturday, January 5, 2008

Ordination #2, Art. 5d: The Solution to Sin

Because of the profound effects of sin, we are spiritually dead toward God and unable to pull ourselves from this sin-ravaged condition. It is impossible for us to please God while we are in our “flesh” (Rom. 8.8; Jn. 15.5). Good works may be done (parents give good gifts to children), but they are not meritorious to restoring our relationship with God (Isa. 64.6). Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Eph. 2.1-5).

2 comments:

Wacky Weavers said...

I have just started my journey through the Bible and was struck by God's mercy again. For some reason I had this mistaken Sunday school picture of when Adam and Eve sinned that it was they themselves who clothed themselves in leaves. You know, the picture we are all shown with Adam and Eve standing in the Garden with leaves on themselves. But I noticed or at least paid attention to the reading this time that the Lord Himself clothed them out of animal skin. So, yes there was a consequence that needed to be seen through and then out of that He still showed a Father's mercy by clothing them. It was also interesting to me that that was the first real sacrifice- or shedding of blood- for our sins. I had thought the first sacrifice was by man. But isn't that God-to be the first to do something. Blood was spilled so that we may be clothed from our sin. All things I'm sure you are more than aware of. Just when reading your last post and this one it reminded me of what I had just been reading and pondering.

Josh_Uht said...

Short but profound. I appreciate that last line. It stirred in my soul. Stuck in my head and now I fear i won't be able to shake it. I hope I don't.