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NASB | Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:1 And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, |
Subject: Storing Up Treasure |
Bible Note: Hi, Makarios; You said "There are no redeeming qualities in those who are not saved." I must disagree - not to pick on you, my friend, but because I have heard Christians say this and it has always troubled me. First, I assume you didn't mean "redeeming" in its narrow theological sense. There are no redeeming qualities because, as you know, it is Jesus who redeems, not any qualities of our own. So I asume you meant the word in its more common sense of "virtuous" or "worthwhile". I think this comment is contrary to both the Bible and everyday experience. Saved or not, we are all created in God's image. I don't believe that sin has the power to completely obliterate every hint of God's qualities within even the most reprobate member of God's creation. (As a Presbyterian, I hope I'm not sending Calvin spinning in his grave.) For example, there are several instances in Acts of Gentiles worshipping God before they were saved (Cornelius, Lydia, Titius Justus). Surely they exhibited some virtuous or worthwhile qualities. I seldom rely on extra-Biblical sources, but I agree with C. S. Lewis that in a quarrel, even the most hardened atheist will appeal to an innate sense of fair play - a concept of right and wrong that is part of our nature imparted by God. My own experience confirms this. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |