Index

Total Depravity

After coming off an extremely different week that changed certain philosophies I held to, I still find that despite the greatest changes that I could ever possibly pursue, I must still remind myself of the depravity that lays within my human soul. What makes me any better than any of the evil figures that have walked this earth? Is not my lust the same as that of Caligula? Is not my hatred the same as Hitler?

Are all sins equal though? A friend said that with respect to God, it isn't. All sin is in itself a statement of rebellion to God. However, he categorized two types of sins: one of personal sin and the other of sin that harms not only yourself but others as well. As a Christian, as much as I try, I know that nothing I do will ever bring me closer to God. Granted, everything good that I do do is from the Grace that I received at Salvation.

"I take it as a first principle that we must not interpret any one part of Scripture so that it contradicts other parts . . . . The real inter-relation between God's omnipotence and Man's freedom is something we can't find out. Looking at the Sheep & the Goats every man can be quite sure that every kind act he does will be accepted by Christ. Yet, equally, we all do feel sure that all the good in us comes from Grace. We have to leave it at that. I find the best plan is to take the Calvinist view of my own virtues and other people's vices; and the other view of my own vices and other peoples virtues. But tho' there is much to be puzzled about, there is nothing to be worried about. It is plain from Scripture that, in whatever sense the Pauline doctrine is true, it is not true in any sense which excludes its (apparent) opposite. You know what Luther said: 'Do you doubt if you are chosen? Then say your prayers and you may conclude that you are.'" - C.S. Lewis

Though I have fallen short of the glory of God, I am still justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23-24). To know that despite all of the grime and dirt that cakes us, God still offers us grace. Grace that, God willing, will be made known to the unsaved this weekend.

2 Comments

ButtugMcOysty wrote:

This site is so beautiful in its simplicity, I am tempted to make a live feed of this site my background.

Crossroads, the EM, sounds much like a Britney Spears movie, and I hope people look past that and the spirit of the Lord moves in them.

Oh, nitpicking, but would it be possible for you to change my link to my initials? My own craze with Internet anonymity. Thanks.

hvm wrote:

It's true that I can never over-estimate my sin and its effects in my life. Yet it is also true that most of us tend to under-estimate grace in our lives, too. In Christ, you and I live under grace now, not sin, yet our daily struggle with sin belies this. It's just like the oppressed and mistreated American slaves who continued to live as slaves even after Emancipation was declared - when they were actually free and could walk away from their bondage. In the same way, we can continue under bondage to sin and live under its oppression, or we can live each new day fresh and free - ready to respond to life in the Spirit, while becoming less alive to sin as the years go by.

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