In the past couple of weeks there have been several shootings in the area where I live. Many people would argue that guns are the problem: “we need stricter gun laws! We need to get guns off the streets and out of the hands of those who would use them to harm others! We need people in office who will protect the people at home!”
The same people arguing against guns might also argue in favor of the goodness in people: “people are basically good. We are all born good. It’s the environment that taints us and causes us to do bad things.”
But is it possible for good people to do bad things? I don’t know about you, but I do not have to be intentional about being unkind or lazy or selfish or mean-spirited or angry. I do not have to remind myself to put myself first. Rather, it’s quite the opposite. I DO have to seek Christ to help me live for Him and put others first. I do have to be intentional about cultivating patience, biting my tongue, swallowing my pride, and seeking others’ good before my own. Christ-likeness has become my second nature now because my first nature was all about me, myself and I.
Those in our world who argue for man’s innate goodness do so because they want to have no need for God. This in and of itself is further evidence of man’s rebellion against God. But we need look no further than the issue of gun control to see that man on his own is dangerous at his best, evil at his worst. We cannot pick and choose who is good and who is not for if we look deeply into our hearts we will find the seeds for the worst crimes against humanity: hate, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, deceit, jealousy, addiction, envy, adultery, rage and so much more. The crimes that make the headlines are mere symptoms of a greater disease: hearts sickened by sin and in need of healing repentance before a Holy God.
The most recent mass shooting occurred because the shooter had lost a video game. What does that tell us about the state of that man’s heart? What does drug addiction tell us about the human heart? What about abortion? Sex-trafficking? I know that I was not born “good,” but I was born “for good,” and that good is to be a surrendered vessel in my Maker’s hands. We have all been created for a purpose; we have all been designed for relationship with the Almighty God.
What is your second nature?
weeklythoughtexchange 
Wow, Shelby, some tough issues addressed here. Our limited ability to deal with the pain of life without God leads to sinful/evil living. I wonder if we are all born good (knitted in the womb, made in His image) and then its free will that leads away from God?
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That’s an interesting thought. I think that for our free will to lead away from God it must be innately sinful. The Bible details that sin is in our very DNA and we can only be rescued from it through Christ. Our sin nature wants nothing to do with God. It is only through Him that we can begin to want communion with Him.
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Thank you for this post Shelby. I have lots to ponder.
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I know your blogs are rich in thought material as well. Thank you for writing them. I love to think and grow. And thank you for asking questions to keep me thinking deeper about what I write.
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Your words are true, not popular thinking in our culture, but still true. I don’t have to be taught to sin, it comes naturally. I have heard teachings that once Adam sinned, we were all born into sin. Even young children do things that are naturally selfish, take things that don’t belong to them and lie to their parents. They weren’t taught to do that! So, maybe as soon as we are old enough to have a choice, we begin to make choices that glorify self.
Jesus, have mercy on me and help me to be conformed into Your image so that through my life and words I am able to live out and share the truth of who You are and why You came with anyone who is willing to listen. Truth and love, Righteousness and grace.
1 Timothy 1:15 – Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
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I can’t thank you enough for these uplifting words. Yes and yes! You summarized it so well. I am sure I stepped on some toes with my blog, which I don’t like to do, but those words were on my heart and I needed to be obedient.
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Good morning Shelby, thank you again for pushing me to seek Scripture to know without a doubt where we began. Romans 5:12-17 and Psalm 51:5 is where I studied this morning. Have a blessed Tuesday💗
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Scripture is powerful! Thank you for sharing with me. I am getting ready to dive into my devotions now too. 🙂
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Yes I needed to know His truth to correct my thinking/pondering. I appreciated the challenge by your blog. #ironsharpensiron
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God is so faithful!
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Thank you for being obedient and brave. I pray that I can be that, too. God bless you!
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Excellent point! And so very true! 🙂 Blessings to you! ❤
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Thank you and blessings to you as well!
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