For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal,
sold under sin. For that which I do allow not:
for what I would that do I not; but what I hate,
that do I. If then I do that which I would not,
I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then
it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me;
but how to perform that which is good I would not,
that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more
I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then
a law, that, when I would do good, evil is
present with me.
Romans 7:14-21
Testimony, that which many too often continue to live, their testimony, that testimony becomes as much as who they are is in actuality concerns depravity even though a person is wholeheartedly committed to Jesus Christ. It seem somehow that to relive their past, their testimony causing them to become more "Christian." They tell of their past, even admit to their fallen nature, and how they attempt to live a life of obedience. This attempt to be "Christian" is in their story as to how they have come to know how their minds work, and that they have discovered how corrupt their minds work, and how corrupt their heart really is, and this conviction grows every day. Furthermore, those telling their testimony will speak about how poorly it is for them to live out their convictions, how their desires, as selfish as they are, how feeble they are, how halfhearted are their attempts to do the right thing. There is an acknowledgement of the opening verses in Romans chapter 7, and that their is a conflict between two natures, sin, and God and they know they have great difficulty carrying out the wishes of God. A problem is that even our spirituality is corrupted by sin, by our fallen nature. What do we have to brag about? Nothing! We must remember that God gives to His children, those living Authentic Christian lives, even though still living in their(our) fallen nature, imparts grace so that we can bear with our faults, and gives mercy to forgive our sins if we will repent of our sins: "...and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 1:3).
This is our spiritual condition, that condition that plagues mankind. The two natures are contrary to one another. It is true that within people there are different nuances of particulars and even intensity that might be different for each person, but the underlying principle remains true. No matter if we examine ancient times, or our modern times the record is a record of human depravity. This truth, this humbling truth, should humble each of us.
Man has amazing capabilities, yet, when we compare them with what we have done with them, we find it difficult to explain the contrast. Where is the rationale, the explanation? The only logical explanation, the only rationale is that mankind has lost its relationship with God. Ancient men of the past attempted to find God in ways that were contrary to the way God was, is, so that they could find a way to somehow appease their conscience for doing what they knew internally was wrong. The problem was and is, the fundamental problem is that mankind is fatally flawed. Mankind has the ability to say no to doing that which is wrong, that which they know is wrong, but the power of their fallen nature, this sin that besets mankind is so strong, strong enough to overpower any inclination to do right.
Mankind has a tendency to resist the truth about God. This fight, this contrary fight against God is to fight God's commands on morality, those moral restraints and ethical expectations. Remember: an ethical person who does that which is right, even when no one is looking. A problem with sin is that at the outset by man to sin and not addressed by repentance, makes it easier for man to sin again and to ignore God's commands and precepts. Man in this condition loses sight of God and losses the ability to respond to God. In this fallen condition mankind has a change in their thinking, and their consciences become greater in their faulty and distorted condition adding or creating delusions of righteousness; that is mankind will make excuses to become reasons.
Here it is: THIS IS THE WAY SIN WORKS! Yes, we can see that some in deep bondage, even though not always apparent the fact remains, this is true of all our hearts, true of all persons, all of mankind.
The only explanation, the reason that this is so pervasive, this defect in man, can only be that this is the human condition. This is the only adequate account for the facts. This being true then let us turn from pure reason and observation and look into the Bible and find what the Bible says about this situation. When we look into the Bible we validation in regards to this doctrine about man: "The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Genesis 8:21), and, "What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous" (Job 15:14)? Jeremiah states: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it" (Jeremiah 17:9). In the Psalms we read: "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." (Psalm 51:5). We need a cure and the apostle Paul gives us one: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death" (Romans 7:24)? Man cannot rescue himself! This rescue from our fallen and sinful nature can only be done by God. What is needed is a complete change of nature. Yes, that complete change will not come until a child of God receives a new incorruptible body after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ for His bride and the destruction of all sin. Yet, in this life, we can live as God requires us to live, the way God intended for us to live.
All true: Yet, there is a problem and that problem will be the subject of the next blog.
Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God
of your fathers, and do His pleasure: and separate
yourselves from the people of the land, and from
the strange wives.
Ezra 10:11
Strange wives are those that we have joined with
Richard L. Crumb
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