Power of sin has corrupting influence

The Rev. Darrell Brazell, pastor, New Hope Fellowship, 1449 Kasold Drive:

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve rebelled against a holy God by choosing the illusion of control over the certainty of dependence. (It was much more than just eating forbidden fruit.) The power of sin entered a previously perfect world, and everything changed. Relationships floundered. Injustice, sickness, suffering and death became the norm.

We see evidence of the fall everywhere. It is the reason Hitler exterminated Jews and why pedophiles abuse children. It is why religious leaders fight over power, influence and finances. It is the reason I find it so difficult to truly love my wife, children and others in my world. We are all fallen people deeply afflicted by “original sin.”

However, we must remember that glory precedes sin. Beneath our mess we are all image bearers created in God’s likeness. (Gen. 1:27). There is incredible glory within every person who walks this earth. We are all a strange mix of glory and depravity: No one is all good or all bad.

That is why we need a savior. Jesus came to atone for our sin, remove the crud from the surface and show the true glory of something deeper. Imagine finding a golden chalice in an old barn. You might want to throw it away because all you see is dust, tarnish and pigeon poop. However, does crud on the surface diminish the value of gold? Of course not! Thankfully, Jesus sees through the crud on our surface and paid the price to remove it. He sees the value of our glory and calls us to do the same with ourselves and one another.

– E-mail Darrell Brazell at darrell@newhopelawrence.com.

Writings of Paul make case clear to understand

The Rev. Marshall Lackrone, pastor, Calvary Temple Assembly of God, 606 W. 29th St. Terrace:

The doctrine of “original sin” has been debated for centuries and can bring out the deepest emotions of men. Listen to the debaters – they will use the same Scriptures to prove or disprove their beliefs.

In reading, some of the debaters they stay away from using the writings of Paul to the church at Rome, or use these them briefly. Yet the apostle Paul probably makes the case of original sin clear enough to understand. Romans 5:12: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” It is clear in this verse that the “original sin” of the first man has an effect on all men. Earlier, Paul wrote in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Later he wrote in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

No one can dismiss all the arguments either for or against the debate of “original sin.” One fact is for sure: If we are in doubt, Paul would direct us to Christ in Romans 10:9-10: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Paul tells us in Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

– E-mail Marshall Lackrone at lackrone@sunflower.com.