It is but a brief and faint outline I have attempted to give of the present state of this nation, in the sight of Almighty God, and of the sins for which we are this day assembled to humble ourselves before Him.
III. We Deserve Judgment!
Have we not therefore cause to say, with the Ninevites, “Who can tell?” Is it not a peradventure? Is there more than a possibility, that we may yet obtain mercy?
If our sins are no less numerous, no less of a scarlet dye, than those of other nations, and exceedingly aggravated beyond theirs by being committed against clearer light and the distinguished advantages we have long enjoyed; if we have not only transgressed the laws of God in common with others, but daringly trampled upon the gracious tenders of His forgiveness, which He has long continued to propose to us with a frequency and energy almost peculiar to ourselves; if all the day long He has stretched out His hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people (Rom 10:12), and hitherto, almost in vain; if neither the tokens of His displeasure nor the declarations of His love have made a suitable impression upon our minds—who can tell if He will yet be entreated? May we not fear, lest He should say, My Spirit shall strive with them no more (Gen 6:3). They are joined to their idols; let them alone? “When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear” (Isa 1:15).
It is difficult to reconcile the idea of sin and forgiveness with the fact that mankind was created with the propensity to sin. Thus God was the cause of the problem in the first place?
LikeLike
Theologians have wrangled over this for centuries.
To me, it is evident that something is wrong with the human race.
I do believe we became dead to God through sin after the Garden of Eden.
And we chose it (with a little help from the Tempter…)
LikeLike
The trouble is that this oversimplification tends to be rejected by more mature minds. The parable/myth of the Garden of Eden needs renewal and updating more in line with modern knowledge and thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, Colonialist, you are the kind of atheist I can appreciate. You possess the best traits of a freethinker, and perhaps the more mature mind in this case. What can I say? But I’m still a Christian…
LikeLike