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The concept of "sin" is based on the concept of moral law. "Sin is the transgression of the Law." But the Gospel is the "power of God" to save us from sin.
In John 8, Romans 6 and 7, and the illustration of Israel in Egypt, the idea is taught that sin is not just an action, but an enslaving power. It is a corrupted life force, an unclean …
The concept of "sin" is based on the concept of moral law. "Sin is the transgression of the Law." But the Gospel is the "power of God" to save us from sin.
In John 8, Romans 6 and 7, and the illustration of Israel in Egypt, the idea is taught that sin is not just an action, but an enslaving power. It is a corrupted life force, an unclean fountain, an evil tree, that keeps on producing corrupt thoughts and acts. The solution, therefore, is not just a legal forgiveness, for deeds done wrong in the past, but cleansing from the corruption within. This results in victory, holiness, purity, and love being planted in the human.
Most modern teachings about sin and forgiveness have lost this deeper meaning. The gospel is presented as a cover over the wrong actions of the past, and the atonement of Christ is a blanket that hides all the defects. The defects are still there, just hidden. And the law, which defined what sin is, is considered harsh, legal, and not applicable to the Christian. The Christian is presumed to be free from the law...but how can he be free from sin and free from the law at the same time, since these are opposites?
When that kind of gospel is believed and taught, the result is nominal Christianity: lacking in spiritual power and life. Inevitably, people under such a system will turn to other sources of power: political-power, money-power, the admiration and approval of others.
I would argue that this decay is what causes the rise of other solutions, such as progressive and atheistic ideas. A large proportion of America used to identify as religious, and mainly Christian. "If the salt has lost its savor" then it cannot preserve the world anymore. Therefore, the corruption of the world is due to the lack of salt: that is, the lack of true spiritual power.
Instead of looking to progressive or atheistic ideas as the main enemy, Christians need to look more deeply into their own state (first personally, and then in their families and churches). The last condition of the church is described by Laodicea, "rich and increased with goods" in her own eyes, but "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked," in God's sight.
Remember, that when Jesus came the first time, the Jewish nation thought that the Romans were the main problem they had to contend with. Jesus showed them that their inner spiritual condition was the actual problem. It was an unwelcome revelation.
Great analysis; that last para is so accurate. The moral Law justified no-one. Neither did good works. There is one Mediator between God and man; Christ Jesus.
The teaching of Scripture of the total depravity of man, and the need for a Saviour was taught in churches up until the 1800's, then was glossed over at first, and then denied, by the mainstream churches and has now for the most part been forgotten, except in some church circles. Same for the teaching on eternal punishment of unbelievers by a just God. "what kind of God would do that?" is the usual response.
Next on my list of events driving the current situation is the fear of death. The true Christian may have concerns about the manner of their death, (severe illness, disabled by stroke, cancer, road accident etc) but at the same time they know that their end has been ordained by God and that "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me". God's law is written in every person's heart, so deep down, they know there is an afterlife, and are afraid to face God, hence the mad rush for vaccines.
The institution of the state is corrupt and has been since all time (Psalm 2). By that I mean all earthly governments that oppose Christ - described in Revelation 13 as the "beast from the sea"- i.e civil government.
Will this present situation wake up some unbelievers to reality as they see the house built on lies start to collapse? I don't know. God sends these events to punish some and to strengthen the faith of others. We are also told by Scripture that God sends a spirit of blindness on some, and "darkens their foolish hearts". A different way to describe "mass formation psychosis" possibly? But we know that in all these things, God is sovereign, and that Satan can do nothing unless God allows it. (Book of Job, Ch.1).
When we say that "God sends these events," "God hardens hearts," "God makes people blind," we must always remember that God is using human language to define His behaviour, but we must not assume from this that He uses the same methods as evil humans would use to accomplish those results. God's ways are holy, not unholy.
A few examples can be considered. When God "hardened Pharoah's heart," we must consider the great blessings conferred on the Egyptians. First, we notice that they were not so hard in Abraham's day, when Pharoah inadvertently took Abraham's wife, suffered some plagues, and immediately returned her and sent him away.
After that, Egypt experienced the salvation brought through Joseph; then the immigration of the rest of Joseph's family, and the prosperity that God gave them, to show the Egyptians the benefits of serving God.
In spite of these advantages, the Pharoah of Moses' time turned from all these blessings and chose to enslave the Israelites. By turning from the light, he hardened himself. How then did God "harden his heart"? By sending him light, privileges, blessings. How was he hardened by these things? By misusing them; by not following on with gratitude to God; by imagining that he was independent of God.
We find the same thing at play in Jesus' time. The revelation of God given through Jesus was the brightest light ever given to man. By rejecting that light, because it did not please the carnal heart, the rejectors became more hardened in sin, and more rebellious. Finally the Romans could not tolerate this anymore, and destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD.
Had God not sent Jesus, they would not have been hardened so quickly. Therefore, God hardens, by trying to soften; He destroys by trying to save; He blinds by sending light. The destruction is the result of the sinner's action, not a direct use of force on God's part. "The wages of sin is death." Sin pays those wages, not God.
God also hardens by "turning His face" from man (i.e nations) and individuals. He does this by withdrawing His common grace and leaving man to his own devices. This too is a form of judgement.
The Egyptians enslaved the Children of Israel, despite the good that they had done, because they feared that they were getting too numerous. (Depopulation agenda). Yes Pharaoh hardened his own heart, but in the final analysis, God hardened him so that His people would be released and He would be glorified. What was the outcome? Judgement on the Egyptians through the plagues and finally, their drowning in the Red Sea.
Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear." It's always sin that causes the hiding, not an exercise of compelling force from God's side.
If force could have been used to compel people to serve God, it would have been done right at the beginning, and the whole experiment of sin would have been over.
But the exercise of compelling power is contrary to the principles of God's government. His is a government based on truth and love, and the presentation of these principles is the means by which Satan's kingdom is overcome.
Romans 12:21 - "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Proverbs 5
21 "If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 "For you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward you."
God asks us to "be holy, for I am holy" Lev 11:44, 1 Pet 1:16.
Jesus was "holy, harmless, and undefiled." Heb 7:26
Rom 13:10 "Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Therefore, God, who is Love, "works no ill to His neighbor."
If God manipulated people to do evil, then His kingdom would not be a righteous kingdom. Instead, it would establish the principle that "the end justifies the means." But that is a principle of Satan's kingdom. God never breaks His law, in order to establish it. Jesus showed that, once and for all, by His life, and by His death on the cross. At the cross, Satan was revealed as a liar and murderer, and God was revealed as a Saviour and a Saviour only.
We must be exceedingly careful how we interpret the Bible when it speaks about God's actions, that we do not inadvertently make Him to be like a sinful man, or a tyrant.
I want to come to your church! I stopped attending mine about 6 months ago when I came to see that the pastor was leading most of his flock over a cliff rather than protecting them. It is frustrating to see so much 'fake' everywhere, but unfortunately, fake Christianity is a thing.
Gram, you can reach me via my website: www.practicaprophetica.com