The Importance Of The Holy And Biblical Dogmas Essay

The Importance Of The Holy And Biblical Dogmas - Essay Example Man is so made that he is not himself, he cannot find happiness, unless he accepts God as his Lord and lives in obedience to the divine will. But, like Paul, man has not yielded this acceptance and obedience. A mortal man is a sinner. His need roots in this fact. And this need is universal. This is not merely the fault of a few, nor is it the defect only of those outside the reach of the Law. Paul states: â€Å"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth† (Colossians 3:8). Paul is often accused of blaming the entire problem of sin on a mortal man. He builds upon his own observation that human sin, and he confirms that picture by the repeated testimony of Scripture. It is true that Paul gave a place to original sin and its effects. This appears in two passages which contrast the damaging effects of sin with the redemptive and renewing results of the work of Christ, who thus begins a new humanity. Paul emphasizes the present need, which he plainly sees in the life around him. Moreover, he sees this sin not merely in individual wicked acts, but in the permeation of man's whole life and outlook. The attitudes, desires, strivings, and thoughts of men are corrupted by his evil choices. The whole man is degraded by sin; the whole man needs redemption; the remedy must reach the roots and every branch of human life. â€Å"Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave† (Colossians 3:11). It is important to recognize that in these lines Paul does teach this universal sinfulness and need of men. This is not an original invention of Paul. From the beginning, the Christian message was an answer to many spiritual and moral failure. They must forgive others; the people they meet will be sinful; the disciples must forgive them all.