(Please forgive me for using this "seemingly sensuous" picture... I am just trying to portray as much as possible the true condition of man... The supporting verses are designated by a number, pls check out below for Biblical references.)
What does the Word of God has to say about the true condition of Fallen Humanity?
1. Man is under the Prison of Sin - All human being is a slave to sin. The Prison Bars of Sin is too strong. Escaping is absolutely impossible. The issue is not that "man sometimes sin", this is the real issue - that everything that man has ever done is totally and consistently sinful. Man is sinful even before birth. Man did not became a sinner because he sinned, rather, he sinned because he is a sinner by nature and by birth.
2. Man is under the captivity of the Devil. - To worsen the problem, not only is man inside the Prison Bars of Sin, man is also tied up securely by the devil from the inside. Man is under the strong embrace of the devil - whose strength of Grip is of enormous strength. The devil has blinded man - that man can't see his own corruption. He doesn't even know his current condition. He is fully unaware at the gravity of the horrifying dreadfulness he is in.
3. Man loves the Devil(Aware or unaware). - But the real problem lies here, Man is not kicking and screaming - though he is imprisoned by sin and held tightly by the devil. Man's heart is so corrupted by sin that he even loves his terrifying condition! He loves to be inside the Prison Bars of Sin - he loves to be held tightly by the devil (aware or unaware). The pivotal point is here, because even if the prison door is opened, and the devil defeated, man will still not go out - and even if man is to be dragged out, he will still rush back to that prison. Man's heart is the strongest enemy!
WHAT DID GOD DO?
First, He BROKE the Prison Bars of Sin!
“But now, being made free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life.”Rom 6:22
“Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”John 8:36
“Then being made free from sin, you became the slaves of righteousness.”Rom 6:18
Second, He overcame, and bound the devil OUT!
“When the strong man, fully armed, guards his dwelling, his goods are in peace. But when one stronger than he comes, he overcomes him. He takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and he distributes his arms.”Luke 11:21-22
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:15
Lastly, HE CHANGED THE HUMAN HEART!!
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel 36:26
“The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you may love HIM with all your heart and soul and so you may live!”
Deuteronomy 30:6
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.”
Titus 2:14
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Prayer:
Father, we thank you deeply, because you loved us so much - that you did not leave us on our own freewill. If you hadn't changed our hearts - we wouldn't have chosen you, we would still be lovers of sin, lovers of the world and still be children of the devil. But because of your unfailing love, you rescued us from sin, the devil and from our very own hearts. Oh how can we ever repay you? This is the least thing we can do, to fill our hearts always with thanks giving, and to live a life that reflects your grace. Thank you for your love Lord!
(Sing with me brethren!)
My chains are gone! I've been set free!
My God my Savior - He ransomed me!
And Like a flood, His mercy rains!
Unending love - Amazing GRACE!
Biblical References:
1)Rom7:14,John8:34,Rom3:9,Rom6:16, Gen6:5, Rom3:9-12,Rom8:8,Matt7:18,Psalms51:5,Isaiah48:9-11...... 2)John8:34,2Tim2:25-26,2Cor4:4,Phil3:19,1Cor2:14,1Cor1:18,John8:43,Eph4:18,Rom1:21-31.....
3) John3:19-20, Jer17:9,Rom8:8,2Cor4:4,Eph4:18
I am more flawed and lost than I ever dared believed, yet I can be more accepted and loved than I ever dared hope at the same time, because Jesus Christ lived and died in my place. Thanks for reminding Brother!
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