Do humans innately have darkness in their hearts?

[Jason0009]

If that is the case then are we all really saved? We are all tainted with dark hearts. To put some context, I just read The Lord of the Flies novel and it ended with a simple realization that man's heart is dark. We were sanctified with Jesus Christ's holy blood. But we still have evil in our hearts, which could be bouts of anger and not lovingkindess, lying, being opportunitive. Which brings to question is it possible that we can be holy people which the bible preaches or are we just very tainted humans that can never be saved? Furthermore doesn't the death of innocence and recognizance of evil cause a human to grow/smarten up? If so doesn't that contradict the bible's philosophy of Godly people are pure and the ethics of the bible where it is teaching contradictory lessons to real life scenarios?

 

[Aussie Pete]

If that is the case then are we all really saved? We are all tainted with dark hearts. To put some context, I just read The Lord of the Flies novel and it ended with a simple realization that man's heart is dark. We were sanctified with Jesus Christ's holy blood. But we still have evil in our hearts, which could be bouts of anger and not lovingkindess, lying, being opportunitive. Which brings to question is it possible that we can be holy people which the bible preaches or are we just very tainted humans that can never be saved? Furthermore doesn't the death of innocence and recognizance of evil cause a human to grow/smarten up? If so doesn't that contradict the bible's philosophy of Godly people are pure and the ethics of the bible where it is teaching contradictory lessons to real life scenarios?

Real Christians are those who are born again. It is a new life that we gain from Christ. In fact, Christ is the new life. Anything not of Christ is not life and is unacceptable to God.

The part of us that is born again is the spirit. The soul and the physical remain the same. The soul is basically mind, emotion and will. No one comes into this new life with any true, spiritual knowledge. It is a progressive change as the believer matures. The rate at which the Christian grows is dependent on many factors. How deep was his initial commitment? Is he willing to turn away from his old way of life? Will he be diligent in study and prayer? What "idols" does he have that are too important to him and hinder his walk? It is NOT automatic.

Being born again is instantaneous. The salvation of the soul (1 Peter 2:2, 1 Peter 1:9, James 1:21) is progressive. It is a lifetime work. One trainee pastor in China asked his mentor how long he should spend preparing his sermons. The answer was, "20 years!" God is more interested in the messenger. A good message is no substitute for a life that radiates the nature of Lord Jesus.

God's people are indeed holy, pure, righteous, spiritually alive and complete in Christ. But that is the inner man of the spirit. That inner life has to be worked out in experience. There is no contradiction.

 

[dqhall]

Real Christians are those who are born again. It is a new life that we gain from Christ. In fact, Christ is the new life. Anything not of Christ is not life and is unacceptable to God.

The part of us that is born again is the spirit. The soul and the physical remain the same. The soul is basically mind, emotion and will. No one comes into this new life with any true, spiritual knowledge. It is a progressive change as the believer matures. The rate at which the Christian grows is dependent on many factors. How deep was his initial commitment? Is he willing to turn away from his old way of life? Will he be diligent in study and prayer? What "idols" does he have that are too important to him and hinder his walk? It is NOT automatic.

Being born again is instantaneous. The salvation of the soul (1 Peter 2:2, 1 Peter 1:9, James 1:21) is progressive. It is a lifetime work. One trainee pastor in China asked his mentor how long he should spend preparing his sermons. The answer was, "20 years!" God is more interested in the messenger. A good message is no substitute for a life that radiates the nature of Lord Jesus.

God's people are indeed holy, pure, righteous, spiritually alive and complete in Christ. But that is the inner man of the spirit. That inner life has to be worked out in experience. There is no contradiction.

People copied sermons from others. To live a good life is more important. How can a cheater teach you how not to cheat?

 

[SkyWriting]

If that is the case then are we all really saved? We are all tainted with dark hearts. To put some context, I just read The Lord of the Flies novel and it ended with a simple realization that man's heart is dark. We were sanctified with Jesus Christ's holy blood. But we still have evil in our hearts, which could be bouts of anger and not lovingkindess, lying, being opportunitive. Which brings to question is it possible that we can be holy people which the bible preaches or are we just very tainted humans that can never be saved? Furthermore doesn't the death of innocence and recognizance of evil cause a human to grow/smarten up? If so doesn't that contradict the bible's philosophy of Godly people are pure and the ethics of the bible where it is teaching contradictory lessons to real life scenarios?

We are all saved unless we reject our salvation.

 

[Aussie Pete]

People copied sermons from others. To live a good life is more important. How can a cheater teach you how not to cheat?

I have no idea what you re talking about. What people? How about all the preachers who do not cheat? To live a good life is more important than what exactly?

 

[dqhall]

I have no idea what you re talking about. What people? How about all the preachers who do not cheat? To live a good life is more important than what exactly?

You might like to read brother James again:

James 1:27 (WEB) Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

 

[Aussie Pete]

You might like to read brother James again:

James 1:27 (WEB) Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

I still don't see how that relates to people who copy sermons and cheat.