Change Your Life/ Change Your Sin Nature
The Public Broadcasting System in my area (PBS) recently aired a program which was a dialogue with an author of the book, "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life". On the program images of MRI's were shown of people's brains. When a person exhibited a negative behavior the MRI showed a part of the brain that was not functioning up to par. This could be helped by eating properly or excercising - which helps oxygen reach the brain and releases chemicals to the brain. This was very fascinating; but it also made me think about how the Scripture tells us that we- human beings- are in a fallen state and have a sinful nature- which is the reason that we need a "redeemer".
Ever since Adam chose to rebel and disobey God, every person born since then carries that DNA. Eating properly and excercising are terrific, and should be something we aim for, but that alone will not totally turn us into wonderful, loving, unselfish and perfect people.
Seeing the MRI's of people's brains was like seeing the scientific evidence of the sin nature we all have. It is in our DNA. We can't help sinning. It is in our nature. Oh, some people seem to have more of a handle on the sin problem than others. Yes, some people seem to just be "jerks", while others just seem to be naturally sweet. But even the sweetest person will eventually let you down.
It is just like the Scripture says:
"If we say we have no sin (nature), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not is us." (1 John 1:8)
"I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me." (Romans 7:18,20)
Even the nation of Israel, who saw God's miracle working power first hand, could not maintain their part of the covenant. There were periods of time when someone would come along and lead the people back into doing what was required of them, but it never lasted.
But there is hope! When Jesus came, He rescued us from our predicament. He suffered the penalty of sin, paying our debt to God, our Creator. We could not pay the debt ourselves. No one can. All we can do is trust that what Jesus did was enough. Embrace His sacrifice - which was done on our behalf. Admit our sin problem, and receive His answer. His solution. There is no other solution. When we recognize what Jesus did on the cross - on our behalf, God imparts righteousness to us. We still have the fallen human DNA. As long as we live on this earth, until we die, we will have that DNA that makes us all too human and prone to sin. But God gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to cause His fruit to grow within us. His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) But this happens only if we are willing to deny our own self righteousness, and receive His righteousness by embracing the Cross of Christ.
Ever since Adam chose to rebel and disobey God, every person born since then carries that DNA. Eating properly and excercising are terrific, and should be something we aim for, but that alone will not totally turn us into wonderful, loving, unselfish and perfect people.
Seeing the MRI's of people's brains was like seeing the scientific evidence of the sin nature we all have. It is in our DNA. We can't help sinning. It is in our nature. Oh, some people seem to have more of a handle on the sin problem than others. Yes, some people seem to just be "jerks", while others just seem to be naturally sweet. But even the sweetest person will eventually let you down.
It is just like the Scripture says:
"If we say we have no sin (nature), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not is us." (1 John 1:8)
"I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me." (Romans 7:18,20)
Even the nation of Israel, who saw God's miracle working power first hand, could not maintain their part of the covenant. There were periods of time when someone would come along and lead the people back into doing what was required of them, but it never lasted.
But there is hope! When Jesus came, He rescued us from our predicament. He suffered the penalty of sin, paying our debt to God, our Creator. We could not pay the debt ourselves. No one can. All we can do is trust that what Jesus did was enough. Embrace His sacrifice - which was done on our behalf. Admit our sin problem, and receive His answer. His solution. There is no other solution. When we recognize what Jesus did on the cross - on our behalf, God imparts righteousness to us. We still have the fallen human DNA. As long as we live on this earth, until we die, we will have that DNA that makes us all too human and prone to sin. But God gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to cause His fruit to grow within us. His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) But this happens only if we are willing to deny our own self righteousness, and receive His righteousness by embracing the Cross of Christ.
posted by Laurie T at
4:21 PM
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