Man’s Dilemma
The foundation of Christianity is based upon the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. Apart from this, there is no hope for humanity. I say this, because the corruption of man is not merely found in the external actions of his life, but is the result of sin working itself out in the heart. Paul explains this, saying, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” The Apostle Paul, who saw the resurrected Christ, points back to Genesis where Moses pens the account of Adams rebellion against God, explaining the problem of mankind.
Despite the numerous arguments regarding this event in secular society, I have faith in the inspired words of Moses, as the Holy Spirit illuminates my mind. In other words, I fully rely on God’s word regarding the fall of man and the redemptive plan set forth in the scriptures. To continue following Paul’s argument, man is darkened and alienated from God, without any hope whatsoever. His behavior is full of repulsive corruption, and he intends to elevate his own desires by suppressing the truth, denying the conviction that arises from his conscience.
The Bible tells us, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
By analyzing my own life, I discovered this is accurate. Today, we are attempting to solve issues such as hate, violence, stealing, discrimination, murder, immorality, and all other evil actions, but to no avail. We fail to recognize that it is sin manifesting itself in the heart. And when it becomes exasperated by worldly lust, as set forth in the Bible, the sinful affections of man work themselves out to the members of the body, and then we have the external actions we are trying to stop.
In other words, I believe the Bible stands true. The seed of sin lies in the heart of every individual and without regeneration, salvation, and the pursuit of holiness, there is no hope. You see the conscience is constantly being conditioned by the licentious acts of this world. Without the revelation of an absolute truth it becomes seared, and unresponsive to stop forbidden lust. The Bible tells concerning this, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”
Understand, I have only sought to show that every individual, from a beggar who lives on the street, to a king who lives in a palace; from the scholastics of the great universities, to the uneducated who wonder the streets, all have the seed of sin birthed in them from conception. I never had to train my children to lie, cheat, or not share. Everyone has acted dishonestly, harbored hatred, coveted, acted immorally, and so on. No one can claim perfection. All have all sinned and have shameful secrets hidden in their hearts. Therefore, no one can truly say, “I think this is” on moral issues, or seek to define love and sexuality, for they become invalid. Due to the effects of sin, interpreting these things solely within the human mind, apart from revealed truth, results in self-centeredness and perversion.
There has to be one who was outside of man who came into humanity as God, and that, my friend, is what Christianity teaches. Jesus, Who is God in the flesh, came into this world to fulfill the righteous demands of God’s law, which we all have broken. His death and resurrection serve as proof that He did not sin, and that God accepted His perfect sacrifice for humanity. Now, salvation is offered exclusively through Him. He came into this world and defined for us sacrificial love, mercy, grace, justice, and all other moral attributes that are attributed to His character. That being said, the solution to mankind’s sinful condition can only be found in Jesus Christ. Without Him, there is no way for mankind to come up with the absolutes needed to address the societal sins that are destroying the world.
I do not claim any scholastic scholarship regarding what I am speaking about. I am just a feeble man who holds deeply to his Bible, struggling to make sense of a fallen world, while trusting in Jesus Christ. Though the world rages in turmoil, and may hat what I have written, it is here that I find peace. “My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness.”