Sure, humility causes us to admit we're sinners, but it certainly doesn't want us to remain there-and God doesn't want us there; He didn't create us to be sinners after all.
No, he does not want us to sin or be sinners, but he does want us to be and remain humble, maybe even if that means having to stay or remain in sin or some sins to maintain that state, if that has to be the case and/or be so, maybe...
And we may not be meant to be or get out of them, if means sacrificing our humbleness and/or humility, or our true God-given identity to do so, (and not being or becoming like Satan, or Lucifer) maybe...?
Not quite sure which he considers more important...?
Now, if we could have "both" that would be great, but realistically, very, very few people can actually pull that off...
I'd love to be able to though...
If we have no choice in the matter to begin with, then we'd have no guilt either. But instead, God says that we do have a choice.
Maybe, maybe not...? We'll find out one day, and all will be explained either way...
We're not only forgiven, but we're now to go, and sin no more, with His help according to the New Covenant. The slate is wiped clean, we're made new creations; are we to mock God by continuing in sin-or thinking that should remain the norm for us, as if nothing's changed?
No, but it is process that may not be fully completed "here" or in this world/reality or this lifetime...
Are we to reject or despise Him all over again as Adam did?
I don't know that Adam and Eve consciously did that...? It's possible that it could have all been a set up from the beginning, and God might have fully intended for that to happen, for a much higher reason and/or purpose than most of us seem to know (about) right now...
Grace is not merely about forgiveness but it's about relationship with God, 'apart from whom we can do nothing', whereby justice is restored and we can begin to live as we were created to live, which excludes sin.
Key word being "begin to", and as I just said, about sin, it's a "process" that may not ever be or become fully complete(d) in this life here... (just trying to be realistic)...
The first justice which man obtains is the very communion with God that he was made for,
Agree...
and that Adam effectively rejected.
I don't think, full well knowingly...
Any one of us in his position with what he knew and/or did not know, I think would have been pre-disposed to do the same (thing he/they did in the Garden of Eden)...
From God's abiding in us, He does a work in us, of justifying, of placing His law in our minds and writing it on our hearts. He does this by transforming us into His own image, the image of He who is love.
Yes, that is the "process" and that's how it happens and/or begins to happen/happens ect...
That's how justice is arrived at for man, that's how the law is fulfilled.
The law is fulfilled, or maybe even begins to be possibly fulfilled "in us" like it was with Jesus, in and with us, by walking in, not the letter of the Law, but it's Spirit... And instead of the letter of it, (which is flesh and our own will) allowing the Spirit of it to work in us and do it's will in us, and through us, and for us, and, "our part" is walking in and keeping the Faith, no matter what, and also, "Love", which is written on, or in our born again hearts and consciences...
While we're called to be holy as He is holy, and perfect because He is perfect, and are expected to strive increasingly towards that goal, He doesn't expect us to necessarily achieve total perfection in that in this life. But He does expect us to grow in love, and "love covers a multitude of sins".
Now your speaking my language...
But if we commit murder, rape, theft, etc, are we loving our neighbor-or God?
No were not... but I do believe they are forgivable, and that the price Jesus paid even for that and those is "enough"...
so there are sins where love is little compromised if at all,
Yes, but does that make those sins any "better" or more permissible in God's eyes, or/and should we see them that way at all, even if they are sins that do not get in the way of Love so much, or as much, as maybe some others can...? (truth is all of them do, but maybe perhaps some less than others, ect, maybe)...
and sins that oppose and destroy love in us. Love is the key, on which we'll be judged. And there's no pride in love-just the opposite.
Faith and Love (and Love is humble and not proud or arrogant) (not selfish or self-serving, ect)...
But, yes, our Faith and our Love is what I think will be the number one, or one of the number one(s), determining factor in God's Judgement of us...
However it must also be or become a "mature Love" and not stay or remain and immature, carnal, or worldly kind of Love, but must become and/or mature into the Godly kind (of Love)... It's not so much about "feelings", but "choices", and/or actions taken, (or not taken in some cases) and/or decisions made...
Good Post though, I liked it...
God Bless!
