A Good Idea

Humans are Born of a Sinful Nature?

When our super-great ancestors, Adam and Eve, sinned for the first time the world became tainted. Many people believe in something called “origin sin,” which states that humans are born with a sinful nature. But is that true? Are we born sinful?

Ephesians 2:1-3 says, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

People use this scripture to back up the fact that we are all born sinful. The reason for this is that Paul says that “by nature” we were sinful and deserving of God’s wrath. However, there are two main definitions of the word “nature” that apply here. The first defines how a person is involuntarily, because of his birth. The second is used to describe how a person’s characteristics, or their voluntary choices separate from birth. Paul is obviously using the word “nature” in the latter sense. This is made clear by observing that, in context, he does not have his eyes set on how these people were born. Rather, he sees how they have chosen to act, and therefore that their nature is sinful.

To say that this verse teaches origin sin is a perversion of doctrine, for Paul himself says in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” and that God made man upright, but that they “sought out many schemes.” (Ecclesiastes 7:29) If from birth, people were broken, then how can they fall? They cannot have already fallen. Furthermore, Genesis 1:26-27 states that God makes us in His image. If you say that we are created sinful, what are you saying about God? Your beliefs would not coincide with the Bible, for James 1:17 says that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” And children are, indeed, a gift from above.
A good and perfect one.

Praise be to God that when these baby’s grow and learn how to behave from their sinful environment, they can cling to Jesus and will become a new creation!

2 Corinthians 6:2-10

“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

I Am - Nichole Nordeman

Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn’t always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed.
You watched my team win, and watched my team lose
Watches when my bicycle went down again.

When I was weak, unable to speak, still I could call you by name
And I said Elbow Healer, Super Hero, come if you can.
You said, I am.

Only sixteen, life is so mean
What kind of curfew’s at 10 pm?
You saw my mistakes and watched my heart break
Hears when I said I’d never love again

When I was weak, unable to speak, still I could call you by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret keeper, be my best Friend
You said, I am.

You saw my wear white by pale candle light
I said ‘forever’ to what lies ahead
Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it is at 2 am.

When I am weak, unable to speak still I will call you by name
Oh, Shepard, Savior, Pasture Maker, Hold on to my hand.
You say, I am.

The winds of change and circumstance
Blow in and all around us
So we find a foothold that’s familiar.
And bless the moments that we feel you nearer.

When life had begun, I was woven and spun
You let the angels dance around the throne.
Who can say when, but they’ll dance again
When I am free and finally headed home

I will be weak, unable to speak
Still I will call you by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, My Redeemer
Lord and King, Beginning and End
I am. I am.

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A girl sang this song in church and it made me cry! haha XD Seriously, I love it ^^

Words of Life

The tongue is a powerful thing, as we are taught in James 3:7-8 where it says, “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

We use our tongue to do terrible things. We use it to blame God for our problems and break His commandments. We use it to discourage people. We use it to tell mean or sarcastic jokes.¹ We use it for slander and deceit, to lie and to judge, to boast - the list goes on.

So what does the Bible say about how to use our tongues?

1. It says that we will live long and prosper, so to speak, if we keep it from evil² It also says that it is wiser to hold our tongue rather than speaking many words, yet if we are righteous the words that we do speak will be wise.³
2. The Bible clearly outlines in Proverbs 6:16-17 and 15:4 that our tongues should not utter lies. (For those who would argue that white lies are okay, a white lie is still a lie.) It teaches that “a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit”. That alone should make you want to stay away from lying, but in case it doesn’t, the author of Proverbs also notes that there are seven things that are detestable to the Lord, and one of these things is lying!
3. “Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’ ”⁴ (Jeremiah 23:31) In this verse, God is dealing with the issue of false prophets claiming their dreams and such are the oracles of God. If God hates lies, then He’s clearly even more opposed to lies that pertain to Him!

Proverbs 18:21 teaches us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” So which will you choose? To speak life to people by encouraging them in Christ, or to send them to their grave with your words?

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¹ However, even good jokes when taken too far can end up hurting people, even if one doesn’t notice that’s the reason why they’re hurt. “Humor so sharp you don’t even know you’re bleeding.”
² Psalm 34:12-13 “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.”
³ Proverbs 10:19 and Psalm 37:30
⁴The Hebrew word for “declares” in the phrase “the Lord declares” is used only in the Hebrew language to communicate something that comes straight from God Himself. This is the only verse in the entire Bible that uses the Hebrew term with someone other than God.