Theology Thursday: The Fall Part 3 – Testimony of Grace

We all died in Adam. Will we all be made alive in Christ?

I asked that question at the end of part 2.

The fall has affected every part of creation. It has most certainly affected mankind in every fabric of our being. Normally when we arrive at the discussion of who God saves and how discussion devolves into disagreement over the nature and scope of the atonement. Does God effectually call and save those whom he elects? Does God offer salvation and man is free to accept or decline? Etc.

Man is so lost in wickedness and error that we cannot choose God. (Romans 3:9-20) Paul makes it exceedingly clear in his letter to the Romans. However, Scripture is replete with references to man’s inability due to his sinful nature. Romans 3 is full of Old Testament references which illustrate that. The fall has corrupted our nature completely. We are not as sinful, wicked, evil as we can possibly be. That is not what total depravity means. It means our nature is infected by sin to every corner and crevice and we are slaves to it.

I wanted nothing to do with God until he chose me.

“In no greater degree is his power or his wisdom hidden in darkness. His power shows itself clearly when the ferocity of the impious, in everyone’s opinion unconquerable, is overcome in a moment, their arrogance vanquished, their strongest defenses destroyed, their javelins and armor shattered, their strength broken, their machinations overturned, and themselves fallen of their own weight; and when their audacity, which exalted them above heaven, lays them low even to the center of the earth; when, conversely the humble are raised up from the dust, and the needy are lifted up from the dung heap [Ps. 113:7]; the oppressed and afflicted are rescued from their extreme tribulation; the despairing are restored to good hope; the unarmed, few and weak, snatch victory from the armed, many and strong. Indeed, his wisdom manifests his excellence when he dispenses everything at the best opportunity; when he confounds all wisdom of the world [cf. 1 Cor. 1:20]; when “he catches the crafty in their own craftiness” [1 Cor. 3:19 p.; cf. Job 5:13]. In short, there is nothing that he does not temper in the best way.”
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion & 2, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, vol. 1, 61.

This past Sunday I shared a condensed version of my testimony before my church. After considering Calvin’s quote above, listen to what God did in my life. Me, a bitter opponent of the Gospel of Christ who had no care or concern for God. I was lost in sin. Yet, God saved me quite against my nature. As Calvin said my ferocious impiousness was overcome in a moment, my arrogance vanquished, and my strongest defenses destroyed.