HUMAN NATURE

Some seem to want to talk only about “behavior” when they talk about human nature. The nature of man cannot always be established by observing his behavior, for all of us have some good and some bad within us. Therefore, our behavior will always reflect both the Adamic nature and the image of God within us. Some manifest their depravity in much more graphic and obvious ways than others, but at the core of our being all of us are depraved.

The statement that man’s nature is “neither good or evil, but neutral” from a spiritual standpoint is wrong. Man’s nature is not one of freedom, but rather man is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1).

The reason everyone sins as soon as they learn how is because everyone is a sinner (Rom. 5:12ff.). You do not have to understand that. But accept the reality of it, and realize that all you have to do is look at your own life to know that it is so. Until we learn to take the human predicament seriously, we will never appreciate what God has done to make us right. Unless we first start by recognizing our own helplessness—our total inability because of sin—we won't understand God's initiative.

Yes, we must first realize that because we are sinners, we cannot climb up to God. Then we can appreciate that He came down to us in Jesus Christ. 

Dewayne Dunaway