S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Human nature is that which makes us distinctly human. Our nature is distinct from that of the animals and the rest of creation in that we can think and feel. One of the chief distinctions between h...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Gerritt Schuitema Persecutor & Mocker transformed to Faithful Believer

Our human nature is a fallen human nature. Often summarized by the 'T' in the TULIP expression, which stands for 'Total Depravity' or 'Original Sin'. This came by way of our forefather Adam. 

We are, due to this fallen nature, unable to do good (Mrk 10:8, Rom 3:12) and please God and are therefore, worthy of everlasting condemnation and eternal separation from our Living God. So why and what is it?

I think, sometimes, people hear the above words and shut down to this truly biblical doctrine. We say things like, 'I know good moral people, this can't be true.' Or something along the lines of, 'you are telling me I'm worthy of Hell? I am a good person! Kind tempered and I always try to help others.'

When taken into full consideration we can see how even the above statements prove this doctrine to be radically true. It is important to note that this doctrine does not imply people are not 'naturally moral' in fact, many of us are moral to our fellow humans. This doctrine does not say that; however, we are all, ALL of us, worthy of judgment. Why? Because we do not desire, at all, anything to do with God. We do not desire to think about God, credit things to God, honor God, respect God, listen to God, hear from God, walk with God, commune with God, rest with God, serve God, which all stem from a lack of true desire to love our Creator, who is blessed forever. We have no desire to search Him out, or to know Him. Instead, we highly exalt ourselves in His place, working that which is utterly wicked (see above common statements, & 2 Thess 2:3-4)

It would be like having a wife or spouse that didn't care about you. Didn't care about what you thought or what you said. Who didn't care that you provide everything for them, they take it all for granted. They never say thank you. They always curse you when things go wrong. They don't look at you or speak to you, except to curse you. They even sleep around and they are not even sorry, not even a little. They act like you don't even exist and worse, they couldn't care less that you do!

No doubt this is a relationship little of us would stand for, in fact, many of us would become extremely angry and end the relationship almost immediately after most of those situations, let alone all of them at once!

Here, let us look to Jesus Christ. For he is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. Look at the great mercy of our God! Does he divorce us? NO! He does not cast us off! Even though we completely ignore and blaspheme His great name, He is patient, merciful, and gracious! Desiring that none would be lost. He loves us, dearly, like children. Rather than divorce us and leave us in our sin, in our black, darkness and iniquity. He emptied Himself, and took on the form of a servant, and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Beaten, mocked, and scourged. Nails driven through his hands and feet. He hung on a cross for US, while people mocked and laughed. He was fed vinegar to drink while clinging to life, VINEGAR! Back scrapping against the splintered wood, with each labored, painful breath as the entire weight of his body was placed on his chest and lungs until he was thrust through in the side by a spear, pouring out his blood for all who are thirsty, to come and drink. And He endured all this, for the glory of His Name, that we might have the opportunity to enjoy Him, and He us, abounding more and more forever (Heb 12:2). By grace, through faith in the name of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice, death and resurrection, we are given a new nature! One that allows us to 'love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,' and also to 'love thy neighbor as thyself.' God gives us this new nature, that this becomes the root of our actions by the Holy Spirit.

This is our God. Our Salvation. Our Holy, righteous King and our God. Jesus Christ, Immanuel - God with us! Praise His name, forever!

September 12 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report