In the first of our twin websites, http://www.ags-tav.org, we discussed sin and God’s salvation plan for mankind. In this website, the second of the twins, our discussion is restricted to sin’s global impact on the human race, why it is necessary for all who desire to enter into the Kingdom of God to be “born again” and what being “born again” entails. 

 We are all given birth to and live in a world of darkness which is caused by man’s rebellion against God, His principles and laws. When Adam and Eve sinned, they did not sin for themselves alone, but, from their privileged position as the first, originally sinless couple, act as representatives for the entire human race. Since then sin, sinfulness, and the consequences of sin have marred all of us and plunged our world into darkness and under the power of Satan. Every one of us as children of Adam enters a race marked by sin, condemnation, and death (Romans 5:12-21). These traits become ours both by heritage and, as we grow into accountability, by personal choice.

Sin is the power which darkens our hearts and world. It moves and is moved by demonic and societal forces. It enters our hearts causing wickedness to well up spontaneously from within (Matthew 15:17-19). Its stronghold is the all but instinctive tendency to put our own interests and desires first. From the selfish heart come rebellion, godlessness, cursing, lies, slander, envy, greed, sensuality, and pride (Matthew 12:34-37; Romans 1:18-32).  Sin pervades the whole person; no sphere escapes, for it corrupts the heart. Our remarkable capacities to think, plan, persuade, and train others enables wickedness to become clever and strong. Therefore, in our darkness we disguise the sinful things that we do and the sinners that we are by making persuasive defense for almost every offense.

Sin and temptation continue to appeal to things that are seemingly good and desirable; e.g. sexual immorality promises bodily pleasure, boasting seeks honor, by breaking promises or vows people hope for release from hardship. And so, we continue in darkness and our rebellion from God, breaking all his laws and principles as the darkness molds and shapes us making us part of its very existence.

To be born in darkness means to be a stranger to the truth. Even in our religious pursuits, we may continue to live in darkness, loving superstitious services to gods that are  ignorantly worship or using our remarkable capacities to think, plan and persuade, in order to devise ways to worship God which accommodate our sinful natures. Into this darkness, God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to bring the truth (the light).

The light which reveals our sins and estrangement from God, offers the opportunity of entrance into the Kingdom of God and salvation from the wrath that God would eventually exercise upon all who love the darkness, as it is written in Romans 1: 18-32:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,  wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."