Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil. He was made captive by Satan, and would have remained so forever had not God specially interposed.
--In his sinless state, man held joyful communion with Him "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3. But after his sin, he could no longer find joy in holiness, and he sought to hide from the presence of God.
*Such is still the condition of the unrenewed heart.
*Could he be permitted to enter heaven, it would have no joy for him.
--It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Job 14:4; Romans 8:7.
--Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life.
-*-It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God,
--In his sinless state, man held joyful communion with Him "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3. But after his sin, he could no longer find joy in holiness, and he sought to hide from the presence of God.
*Such is still the condition of the unrenewed heart.
*Could he be permitted to enter heaven, it would have no joy for him.
--It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Job 14:4; Romans 8:7.
--Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life.
-*-It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God,
to see the benevolence,
the fatherly tenderness,
of His character.
-*-It is not enough to discern the wisdom and justice of His law,
to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love.
-*-To all, there is but one answer, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
John 14:6.
--The Savior's life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels,
Q: What more could He do?
--And, on the other hand, the judgments of God pronounced against sin, the inevitable retribution, the degradation of our character, and the final destruction, are presented in God's word to warn us against the service of Satan.
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