Creation & Sin

EXTREME Westwood Bible Fellowship

Issue 5

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In the beginning, God...

CREATION & SIN “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1

CENTRAL IDEA

THOUGHT

Deism

God creates, but is not present in the workings of His creation.

EMPHASIS

God’s transcendence

Pantheism

God is part of His creation.

God’s personal immanence

Panentheism / Monism

All in God. All is one.

God’s transcendent nature

Process Theology / Open

God is in process, growing in knowledge with

Theism

His creation.

Naturalism

God’s personal nature

Matter comes forth from natural processes,

Matter is either eternally existent,

without aid from any supernatural entity. In this

or it comes into effect ex nihilo

worldview, matter and life are created by chance.

(out of nothing).

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How did the world come into existence?

that is in it. The law of causality demands that all

This question is foundational to all effects (Matter) need a other questions that shape one’s c a u s e , a n d t h a t t h e s e worldview and corresponding views of changes take place in the God and human life. While a myriad of current space dimension in opinions exist on this matter, the chart which we live. God is eternal on the previous pages represents the ( P s . 9 0 : 2 ) a n d i s five most predominant non–Christian subsequently apart from His creation as the necessary categories of thought These views of creation fail both first cause. Evolutionary theory p h i l o s o p h i c a l l y a n d b i b l i c a l l y. Pantheism/Panentheism both have a recognizes that man god that is part of the creation, making came from matter already it impossible for Him to be the creator. existent on the earth, but it

and behold, it was very good

entire creation “very Their god remains either transcendent is unable to determine how good” (Gen. 1:31). This intended (Other) or immanent (Personal), but not that process took place. Biblically, we state of perfect beauty in all things is both. He is unable to rule the creation realize that God’s power was able to described in the Old Testament as he is part of. Matter is usually an do what is naturalistically impossible: “Shalom” (Isa. 2:2–4, 11:1–9, 32:14– illusion; matters of evil and good are bringing forth life from lifeless matter. 20, 43:1–12, 60:1–22, 65:17–25; Joel seen as relative, and part of the same God created the substance (matter) of the universe ex nihilo. The Hebrew 2:24–29, 3:17–18). god nature. Surveying the condition of our Other systems of belief struggle word BARA (arb) is used, while the planet and human life (including death, with how the universe is created. word ASAH (hvu) is used for the suffering, injustice, boredom, Naturalism and/or Materialism leave us creation of man. Genesis 2:7 uses the annoyances, miseries, fears etc.), it is with an infinite regress of cause and word YATSAR (rxy) meaning “formed”, obvious that something has gone effect, or the incredulous doctrine that depicting the formation of a substance terribly wrong. everything we see came out of nothing already present (i.e. the earth or dirt). Scripture teaches that God clearly Thus, man’s first name is ADAM (mda), with no causal force or purpose. commanded the first man and woman The biblical creation story tells us meaning red clay or ruddy. T h e c r e a t i o n n a r r a t i v e s o f not to eat from the tree of knowledge that an eternal, necessary first cause of good and evil or they would die (God), created the universe, and all humanity all have similar elements to them, highlighting God’s revelation of (Gen. 2:16–17). The man and woman

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 3:23; 5:8

Himself to all men of all cultures disobeyed God. The fall was the through the course of time (Ps. 19:1; descent of the human race and the John 1:9; Rom. 1:18–25). It also is a rest of God’s creation (Rom. 8:18–27) byproduct of oral tradition passed on into a state of rebellion against God. from generation to generation (Gen. 11:1–11).

What is the Fall? God created this world in a perfect

Because Adam was the head of the human race, when he sinned everyone who would ever live (other than Jesus Christ who had no earthly father) was implicated in his sin (Gen.

state and upon the creation of the 3:1–6; Hosea 6:7; Rom. 5:12–21; 1 man and woman God declared His Cor. 15:21–22, 15:45–50).

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Is everyone totally sinful?

What are the consequences of sin?

Ye s , w h i l e p e o p l e a r e n o t Genesis 2:16–17 And the LORD God absolutely sinful (they could do evil commanded the man, “You are free to things with greater degree and eat from any tree in the garden; but frequency) all people are totally sinful you must not eat from the tree of the in that their every motive, word, deed, knowledge of good and evil, for when and thought is for their own glory you eat of it you will surely die.” rather than God’s (Ps. 29:2; Rom. 3:23, Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is 11:36, 16:27). death, but the gift of God is eternal life There is a vestige of moral sense, in Christ Jesus our Lord. however, in people because of the 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message conscience that God gave them (Rom. of the cross is foolishness to those 2:14–15). However, even the seemingly who are perishing, but to us who are good deeds done from the moral being saved it is the power of God. conscience are mere filth to God if Colossians 2:13 When you were dead done apart from loving obedience to in your sins and in the uncircumcision Him, because they are attempts at of your sinful nature, God made you meriting our own righteousness which alive with Christ. He forgave us all our is the heart of pride. These attempts sins. are an enemy of the humble grace in How should we deal with our sin? which one receives the righteousness Conviction – recognizing our sin of God as a free gift (Isa. 64:6). through the ministry of the Holy Spirit

Where does sin come from?

and truth of Scripture (John 16:7–11)

God does not tempt us to sin, but Confession – agreeing with the Holy instead the temptation arises from Spirit and Scripture regarding our sin within our own hearts. Therefore, mere (1 John 1:5–9). behavioral change is not sufficient to Repentance – a turning from the sin remedy the human condition, but and to God and obedience to Him out instead we need a new heart and of love (Luke 17:3; Acts 3:19, 5:31, nature if there is to be any true victory 11:18). over sin in our lives. Restitution – seeking to make James 1:13–15 When tempted, no amends as much as possible for our one should say, “God is tempting me.” sins (Ex. 22:3; Prov. 6:31; Ezek. 33:15). For God can not be tempted by evil, Forgiveness – asking for grace from nor does he tempt anyone; but each those you have sinned against, or one is tempted when, by his own evil giving grace to those who have sinned desire, he is dragged away and against you (Matt. 6:12–14, 18:35; enticed. Then, after desire has Mark 11:25; 2 Cor. 2:10; Eph. 4:32). conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, Reconciliation – once all parties have when it is full–grown, gives birth to resolved their sins they can be death. reunited (Matt. 5:24; Eph. 2:14–16; 2 Cor. 5:18).

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UNFORGIVEN What is the unpardonable sin? This question has baffled scholars since the days of Jesus and we see this sin mentioned only once in the Scriptures in Matthew 12:31–32. This sin appears to be the rejection of the Holy Spirit of God. Man’s proclivity is towards this rejection, and in need of regeneration in order to “choose” God (Acts 16:14). Man freely chooses to reject God. When the Pharisees were confronted with the choice to attribute Christ’s miracles to the Holy Spirit or Satan, in their disbelief they chose Satan. Their choices were in line with their belief (cf. Heb. 6:4–6, 10:29). It is the Holy Spirit who testifies on behalf of Christ (John 15:26, 16:14, 15), therefore any rejection of Him is a rejection of Christ and the only sin that cannot be forgiven is unbelief in Jesus Christ. Application: If you keep ignoring God and saying “no” to belief in Jesus Christ, eventually the Holy Spirit will stop calling you and you will be lost forever. End Game.

How can I stop committing a sin? Rom. 8:13–16 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death [mortify] the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry “Abba, Father.” Mortification is Spirit–enabled conviction that man needs to change based upon God’s word that results in repentance and grace–centered living (Hebrews 4:12–13). Repentance – I want to change. Based upon the good, perfect, and acceptable nature of God’s will. (Rom. 12:1–2). Faith – I can change. Based upon God’s faithfulness to His promises

made possible by His power. (1 Cor. 10:13).

Discipline – I am working my plan.

Worship – I have a plan to change. A

Perseverance – I am never going back. Use any failures as learning

realization that virtue goes beyond merely changing a vice to repenting

o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o g ro w i n y o u r sanctification.

and doing good works. • Clearly identify your goal of replacing a sinful habit with a godly one. (Eph. 4:28–31). • Clearly identify your resources (i.e. prayer, Holy Spirit, Scripture, elders, Christian friends, books, etc.). • Clearly identify your plan for using your resources: 1. Recognize how sin is birthed external stimulus (world and Satan) + internal reaction (flesh) = sin. 2. Recognize how obedience is birthed –>reduced external stimulus (world and Satan) + reduced internal reaction (flesh) = obedience.

Does God Cause Sin? The Bible is clear that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). The Bible is also clear that God does not find any pleasure in sin (Ps. 5:4), He hates and detests sin (Prov. 6:16; Zech. 8:17), He hides His face from sinful people (Isa. 59:2, 64:7). Therefore, God does not in any way cause sin and sin is a privation of His good creation and a contortion of His beautiful and glorious perfect works.

Why God Why? If God is so good and all knowing, why do bad things happen? That is the wrong question to ask. The correct question is, “If God is so good and all knowing, why am I still alive?” The answer is His unimaginable patience and mercy. If we’re honest with ourselves we’ll realize that none of us is good all the time and deserved to be punished for the pain we have caused others.

There, but for the grace of God go I...

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...

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