As human beings, we are all born with a natural tendency towards sin. This is not something that can be avoided or denied - it is simply part of our nature.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, it says, "Surely there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins" (7:20). And in verse 29, it adds, "There isn't a single person on earth who always does good and never sins."
These verses make it clear that every person has a propensity towards sin.
But why? Why are we all inclined to do wrong? The apostle Paul sheds some light on this question in his letter to the Romans. He says, "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; no one does good, not even one.' (3:10-12).
So what does this mean for us? It means that we are all born with a sinful nature. We may be able to recognize the difference between right and wrong (Genesis 3:22), but that doesn't mean we always choose the right path. And while we have been given dominion over the earth (Psalm 8:6-8) and are made in the image of God (James 3:9), we are still imperfect and prone to sin.
The Hope of Redemption
While our natural bent towards sin is undeniable, it is not the end of the story. The good news is that through Jesus Christ, we can be redeemed from our sinful nature and become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserved. Through his death and resurrection, he offers us forgiveness and a way to overcome our sinful nature.
This doesn't mean that we will never sin again. But through faith in Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit who empowers us to resist temptation and live according to God's will (Galatians 5:16). We are also given the promise of eternal life in heaven, where there will be no more sin or suffering (Revelation 21:4).
Living a Life of Faith
As Christians, it is our responsibility to continually strive toward holiness and resist the temptation to give in to our sinful nature. This requires daily surrendering ourselves to God and seeking his guidance through prayer and reading His Word.
It also means surrounding ourselves with other believers who can encourage and hold us accountable. And when we do fall into sin, we must repent and turn back towards God, trusting in His Forgiveness and Grace.
But most importantly, living a life of faith means keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus as the ultimate example of righteousness. He showed us what it means to live fully surrendered to God, and his death and resurrection give us the hope and power to do the same.
The Ultimate Redemption
One day, when Jesus returns, he will redeem not just our sinful nature but all of creation. All suffering, pain, and evil will be eradicated as God's kingdom is established on earth (Revelation 21:1-5). We will finally experience the fullness of Redemption promised to us through Jesus.
So, while we continue to struggle with our sinful nature in this fallen world, let us hold onto the hope of ultimate Redemption and strive towards living lives of faith. May we always remember that even in our imperfections, we are made in the image of God, and he loves us unconditionally. So, let us strive to live in a way that reflects his love and Grace to the world around us.
Conclusion
Living a life of faith is not always easy, but it is worth it. Through our daily surrender to God, surrounding ourselves with fellow believers, and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can continually grow in holiness and become more like him.
And as we eagerly await the ultimate Redemption promised by God, let us trust in his goodness and love for us, knowing that one day we will be fully restored and made new in his kingdom. May our lives reflect Christ's sacrificial love, and may we continue striving to live out our faith daily. Let us persevere in hope and joy, knowing that our ultimate Redemption is at hand. So let us continue to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love others as ourselves. For this is the ultimate calling of every believer – to live a life fully surrendered to God and to be a reflection of his love for the world around us. Let us walk boldly in faith towards the ultimate Redemption promised by Jesus Christ. Amen.
Additional Resources
Bible Study Tools: https://www.biblestudytools.com/
Sermons on Redemption: https://www.desiringgod.org/topics/redemption/sermons
"The Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel: https://www.amazon.com/