Page 251 - Bible Writers Theology Original

B Acted Sin
Inherited sin is only one side of the coin. There is also acted sin. The scripture declares, "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of fte power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among who also we all had
our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfillingthe desires ofthefleshandofthemind..."(Ephesians2*2-3). Notonlyarethechildren of the first Adam by nature "the children of wrath," but they continue
evolvingintheirbondagethroughtheinfluenceofthedevil. Theyareunder t t e condemnation of the Law of God, which thgr perpetually transgress by theirsinfuldeedsandlustsoftheflesh(Genesis6:5). "Lienotonetoanoth
er, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;And haveput on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that createdhim."(Colossians3:9-10). Abomagainmanshouldnotcommitsin,
defiling his life (Colossians 3:1-7; Galatians 5:16-26). However, when we do, itisnotnecessarytobere-baptizedfortheremissionofactedsin. Wesim ply repent and go to the blood ofJesus and askforgiveness (I John 1:7-10; 27;
Hebrews 7:25-28; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 7:9-17).
8.6 Man's Condition and the Way Out
Man, in his desperate conditioii, is spiritually portrayed by the scripture as:
Conceivedininiquity (Psalm51:5;58:1-4). Deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).
Governed by the law of sin (Romans 7:23).
His understanding darkened and his heart blinded (Ephesians 4:18). Fullofevilthoughtanddeed (Romans1:29).
No soundness in him from top to bottom (Isaiah 1:6).
The slave of sin (Romans 6:16).
The wage of his sins is death (Romans 6:23).
He is under the curse ofthe law (Galatians 3:10; Romans 3:9-20).
Only divine intervention can provide the way out from this darkness, for even "...the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh" (Romans8:3).Godtooktheinitiative. TheprophetIsaiahdeclared,"Andhe saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sus-
tamedhim"(Isaiah59:16). TheapostleJohnseemstosummarizetheprom ises of God in the Old Testament, foretelling the salvation to come, and the
Soteriology - Salvation ♦ 235