Are we Created Good or Bad or Something Else?

Question: What do you think about the idea that we are fundamentally created in God’s image–that we are created with a good heart that is then stained by sin?

Response: Well, the problem with the question is that it assumes we are already created. I think that we are “being created in time,” so we are not yet fully created. Christ is the “firstborn of all creation.” Since we are still being created we have an incomplete and unfinished heart. Yet, because of Christ, we are finished in Eternity. We are watching our own creation, and the finishing touch is the very lifeblood of Jesus poured into the empty vessel that is me; it is the Grace of God poured into my sin. We are all born with an “incomplete heart,” a heart incapable of choosing the good in freedom. We’re born then, with a propensity to sin and are destined to sin. Our old nature, our flesh is stuck on itself, and that is we are all born with an “incomplete heart,” a heart incapable of choosing the good in freedom. We’re born then, with a propensity to sin and are destined to sin. Our old nature, our flesh is stuck on itself, and that is sin.

When Christ comes, good will comes. When we are finally dead to ourselves and entirely full of Christ we will do nothing but choose the good in freedom (unencumbered by sin—bad will). But for now, I think the deepest truth is that a bad choice is my choice (my old self, my flesh). And a good choice is Christ in me. It is Faith, Hope, and Love in me–the life of Christ in me. So, “I” don’t think “I” can be credited for any good choice; every good choice comes as grace. I cannot boast. I can only be thankful.

Philosophically it’s a profoundly difficult topic.

Practically, I think it means that I can be proud for nothing, and I must be grateful for everything.

Blessings,

Peter