October 30, 2005

THE DEGRADATION OF MAN


There is a disturbing contrast between man as we now see him, degraded by sin, and the perfect man that God made in his image. Sin, pride and wickedness have gradually changed his features, as well as his character. Multiplied down through generations, by ignorance, wickedness, and a creeping general depravity, have so blurred and marred humanity that in the large majority of the human race the likeness of God is almost obliterated. The moral and intellectual qualities are dwarfed; and the animal instincts, have become unduly developed, and no longer balanced by higher thought.

But though thus defiled and degraded by sin and its penalty, death, working in him, man is to be restored to his original perfection of mind and body, and to glory, honor and dominion, during and by the reign of Christ Jesus. The things to be restored by and through Christ are those things which were lost through Adam, and Eve's trangression.
Romans 5: 19, 21

19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were constituted sinners, likewise also through the of the one [person] many will be constituted righteous.

21 To what end? That, just as sin ruled as king with death, likewise also undeserved kindness might rule as king through righteousness with everlasting life in view through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 3: 16

16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

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