What Every Christian Should Know by Dr. Robert Jeffress

Author:Dr. Robert Jeffress
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Living;Theology;Doctrinal—Popular works;REL012120;REL012070;REL067000
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2022-10-27T00:00:00+00:00

6

Humanity and Sin

Did you know that the word naughty once meant to have nothing—or naught? (“He used to be wealthy, but reckless spending left him naughty.”)

Or that the word awful once meant to be worthy of awe? (“Helen of Troy possessed an awful beauty.”)

Or that the word nice once meant unintelligent or ignorant? (“I wouldn’t trust him to make the right decision—he’s too nice.”)

Words change with the culture. In some cases, their meanings can turn 180 degrees. A term that once had a positive connotation can become negative. A compliment can become an insult. With that quirk of etymology in mind, let’s consider the word human.

For a brief, shining moment, to be human was to look forward to an unimaginably bright future, filled with God’s continuous blessings. From Genesis 1:26 to Genesis 2:25, to be human was to embody the pinnacle of God’s creative work. To be human was to reflect God’s image. To be human was to be animated by the breath of the Holy Spirit. To be human was to enjoy the privilege of God’s company. To be human was to be entrusted with the care and maintenance of God’s handiwork. To be human was to glimpse the full potential of God’s plan for creation.

To say, “I’m human,” was the loftiest possible form of self-affirmation, a reminder of all that God, in His creative genius and limitless generosity, had laid out before us.

Then came Genesis 3.

After the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, the idea of being human took on new shades of meaning. Its luster dimmed. Today, we often use the word human as a catch-all defense for our worst instincts:

“I should have resisted when she invited me back to her place, but I’m only human.”

“I’m sorry I went off on you like that. My human nature just got the better of me.”

“Don’t try to put me on a pedestal. I’m human just like everyone else.”

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