Global Methodist Church Catechism: The natural state of humanity
Each Wednesday we will be exploring a question and answer from the Global Methodist Church summary of our faith called the Catechism.
Question 46: What is the natural state of humanity?
Answer: We believe that humanity is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is destitute (lacking) in holiness and inclined (prefers) evil (Ephesians 2:1-3).
When I was in education, I heard a lot from students and staff. Frustrations, hopes, and what we prefer always came to a conversation in the grind of a school year. What stood out more than anything in those conversations was this: I didn’t do anything wrong. Students would get defensive, and even staff (including myself!) would sometimes find ways to say they did everything they could in their job. While that is sometimes the case, the reality is we can always be better. Whats more, when the chips are down, we choose to be worse than we have been before. The Bible calls this choice a sinful choice and describes the human condition that results from such choices as being Fallen.
The Book of Ephesians describes our Fallen state with specific accuracy. Paul reminds them, and us, that “At one time you were like a dead person because of the things you did wrong and your offenses against God. 2 You used to live like people of this world following the rule of Satan. This is the spirit of disobedience to God’s will that is now at work in persons whose lives are characterized by disobedience.”1Not only are we Fallen because of known sins (things you did wrong) but unknown sins also (your offenses against God). This has all kinds of modern illustrations. Complaining about an action without talking to the one who offended you is addressed by Jesus (Matthew 18:15), being a good steward of not only our resources but our own bodies is discussed by Paul (1 Corinthians 6:20), James goes there and addresses Christians who sinned by claiming Christ but not being willing to put in the work to love His people (James 2:14-16). In a word, our Fallen nature is serious. G.K Chesterton went on record to say that sin was the only provable doctrine of the church, not because her children don’t sin but because they do.
Shakespeare can’t write tragedy better than this. But thanks be to God that tragedy doesn’t get the final say! Ephesians goes on to say “However (!!), God is rich in mercy. He brought us to life with Christ while we were dead because of our offenses against God. He did so because of His love for us, you are saved by grace”(Ephesians 2:5).
This teaching has good news today. We aren’t what we think we are. But because of Christ, we will never be what we were. Thats a reason to be joyful today!
Questions:
Think of the worst thing you have ever done. And realize that the Bible reveals that even God chooses to forget what you did because of Christ (Hebrews:7-12).
Who is the enemy in the Christian life? The Bible doesn’t endorse pointing fingers about sin. At the end of the day, the enemy is us. The way forward then is not only a decision, but what you do after. Pray Psalm 51:9-13 and rejoice that even today, God wants you to move forward and repent, to change. The sooner you do, the better off you will be.
Ephesians 2:1-3 (Paraphrase).