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We are continuing our conversation concerning Original Sin. Sin is the necessary backdrop to the wondrous message of grace that has appeared in Christ. If we are to make sense of anything Jesus said or did, we must understand how grace relates to sin.
In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus said that a person can’t even see the kingdom of God unless he is first born again. In other words, because we are dead in sin, we must first be spiritually regenerated before we can express faith in Jesus or make a decision to follow him. Coming to grips with the seriousness of sin helps us to better understand the amazingness of grace. Join us for this new edition of the White Horse Inn as we tackle these issues and more.
Host Quote:
“Our need for regeneration is because we are powerless. We’re dead. We cannot do it on our own. We have certain prayers in our prayer book and my favorites all happen during Lent which is where we get really honest about ourselves. ‘Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations. And as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save.’ We’re weak; we’re assaulted by temptations. You get it, save us. Another one, ‘Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves.’ That’s the start of the prayer. ‘Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners. Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise.’ We’re dead. We’re weak. We’re powerless, and we don’t have the health that we need. Something needs to happen outside of us for anything to change.” – Justin Holcomb
Term to Learn:
“Total Inability”
Therefore, all people are conceived in sin and are born children of wrath, unfit for any saving good, inclined to evil, dead in their sins, and slaves to sin; without the grace of the regenerating Holy Spirit they are neither willing nor able to return to God, to reform their distorted nature, or even to dispose themselves to such reform. (The Canons of Dort, III/IV.3)