We keep denying the source of and the solution to the sin problem.
James 1:14-15 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
So far in my study of the book of Genesis I have learned that In the beginning God created us to rule over creation and to fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of God. Since God created us and made us in his image he must be by far the most qualified expert on what is best for us but we are arrogant enough to think that we know a better way. (Isaiah 43:7)
In our arrogance we think we are allowed to decide absolutely everything, things that we once thought were obvious facts that could not be denied are now up for debate, we are foolish enough to believe that we get to ignore God without any side effects.
It wasn't too long ago that our gender was something that was an absolute fact but thanks to science and technology we can be something we were not designed to be. I have to wonder how much of this perversion is being fueled by the desire to make a lot of money without regard for the lives that are being devastated.
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Man has deceived himself and believed that the issues are very complicated but God has made it crystal clear that all of this confusion goes back to man's departure from God's design to seek our own way. Every breakdown, every unrighteousness and every injustice is a direct result of sin.
All breakdowns are because of sin:
- The first effect of sin happened before God even confronted Adam and Eve, before they even knew that their relationship with God was broken, it became clear to them that their relationship with each other was very different.
- Sin made them ashamed to be fully known by God or by each other, they needed clothing to hide their most intimate parts from each other. Transparency is a rare trait in the best of relationships.
- Sin distorted God's created gender roles, it wouldn't take too long for man and woman to start mistreating each other. God predicted that man will tend to make an idol out of power. and that woman will tend to make an idol out of the relationship.
- Work is not a curse but thanks to sin it is cursed, thorns and weeds always get in the way of our ambitions.
- Nature works against us, instead of being in control and ruling over the earth, in many ways it is controlling us.
This list is compiled from a podcast by Tim Keller - "A Promise of Hope"
Our sin is the source of every breakdown, from our broken bodies to the difficulty in your relationships to catastrophic weather events. It is easy to look horizontal at what is wrong in this world and point your finger at many different causes but the root cause of our problem is the fact that the vertical relationship with God is broken. Horizontal sins happen because of our vertical sins.
Our rebellious arrogance and pride got us into this situation and it is the reason we are still dealing with the problem. Everybody is looking for world peace but we cannot fix our deepest problems and make a better society on our own without returning to God and his design and his rules. If we keep denying the source of our problems we will never be able to solve our problems.
Psalms 2:1-4 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against His anointed one. 3 "Let us break their chains," they cry, "and free ourselves from slavery to God." 4 But the One who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.We are all kings, ruling our little empires, we make our choices about our lives that prove who is in control. We all plot against God to do what we want to do, he is the source of our wisdom but we think that we are wiser than he is, it is no wonder that he laughs at our crazy notions.
It is a real breakthrough when we realize and submit to the reality that God's ways are the ultimate. We will begin to heal when we get to the point that we realize that our best is so corrupt and falls short of what God intended.
Psalms 51:7-8 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; You have broken me--now let me rejoice.God is waiting for my will to break so that I will give up on my rebellion and give him control. When I get off of my throne and let the ruler of the universe be the ruler of my life then I will find my greatest satisfaction and joy.
When this happens the world around me will see that there is a better way, they will see a little bit of heaven on earth, my life will be a witness of the future when Jesus comes back to rule with justice.
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