Another Guv Bites the Dust

Christianity Today ^ | 12/15/2008 | Collin Hansen

[malkee]

Our gullibility betrays a lack of understanding about the Bible's teaching on sin. Sin does not discriminate. It does not target only the vulnerable, those unable to will themselves toward right living. Sin pervades everyone. The apostle Paul, citing Psalms 14 and 53, wrote, "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one" (Rom. 3:10b-12).

Thankfully, Paul did not end his epistle there. His teaching on sin grows more personal as the letter progresses. "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing" (Rom. 7:18-19). Finally, he exasperated: "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Rom. 7:24) Immediately he answered the question with exaltation: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom 7:25a)