Human nature, What is it? Where does it come from? Is it different from holiness? These are questions for which there seems to be many answers, But where can we find the truth about human nature and holiness?

Did you know that, in the Bible, God gives a precise and true answer to these questions? In this blog post then we will explore God’s answer in depth.

Who is God?

First of all, as we start our exploration of human nature and holiness from a biblical point of view, let us get a basic grasp of who God is. “God” (Genesis 1:1) and “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) are interchangeable names in the Bible for a divine Family.

Now you may be wondering, What do “Genesis 1:1” and “Acts 17:29” mean? They are what is known as Bible notation, which is a way of referencing the Bible. For the Bible is a collection of books, where each book in the Bible consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses.

The quotation referred to as “Genesis 1:1” is taken from the book in the Bible with the title Genesis, the 1^st chapter, and the 1^st verse. Similarly, the quotation referred to as “Acts 17:29” is taken from the book in the Bible with the title Acts, the 17^th chapter, and the 29^th verse.

As it happens, the Godhead has three members and, No, there are not three Gods! Why? Because the members of the Godhead never contradict each other at any time, that is, we can say that they speak with one voice. Therefore, we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32.

What are the names of these three Persons in the Godhead? Their names are “the Father” (Matthew 11:27), “the Son” (Psalm 2:12) also called Christ (Matthew 1:1), and “the Holy Spirit” (Psalm 51:11).

Each Person in the Godhead is “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” Hebrews 7:3.

What is God Like?

We can know what is God like because God describes Himself by saying that He is “God, that cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and “God is love.” 1 John 4:8. That is to say, each member of the Godhead has a character of love that is identical to the character of the others, and this love is the only definition of true love in the universe.

OK, with this understanding of who God is, a related question is, Who is Jesus? The name Jesus was given to Christ when He was born as a baby boy on earth over 2,000 years ago.

So, that’s it! With this foundation, you are ready to understand all that the Bible has to say.

Is the Bible True?

Naturally, the question arises, Is the Bible true? Well, “all scripture [the Bible] is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16), which is to say that the Bible originates with God. And since “God…cannot lie” (Titus 1:2), we can conclude that the Bible is indeed true.

In other words, “the word of God [the Bible]…it [is] not as the word of men [of human beings], but as it is in truth, [it is] the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and therefore it is called “the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

“If we say that…[the Bible is not true] we make him [God] a liar.” 1 John 1:10. Otherwise, we acknowledge that “far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty [God], that he should commit iniquity [commit sin, which is evil and wrongdoing].” Job 34:10.

So, be assured that everything in the Bible is indeed true!

Our Bible Verse of Focus

Here is the Bible verse that describes the focus of this post: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man [a person], but the end thereof are the ways of [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God].” Proverbs 14:12.

Fear not! Annihilation is a severe action by God, but there is a right way that leads to receiving eternal life from God. That is, no human being need reap annihilation by God. Isn’t that good news! Continue reading and I will explain how every human being can have eternal life.

The Origin of Human Nature

The human race began when God created a man named Adam and a woman named Eve. And, speaking of Himself, God says, “God hath made man [Adam and Eve] upright [holy].” Ecclesiastes 7:29.

In other words, Adam and Eve had a character of love that was identical to God’s character. However, both Adam and Eve did evil and wrongdoing, which is to sin, when they were tempted to sin by an angel named Satan.

Who is Satan? He is the holy angel, originally named “Lucifer” (Isaiah 14:12) by God, who rebelled against God in heaven by sinning. Satan caused other angels to join him in his rebellion against God, and because Satan and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) refused to stop sinning, God cast them all out of heaven.

Thus, Satan and evil angels now await God’s coming Judgment Day and, until then, they go about the universe to all the created intelligent of beings “the worlds” (Hebrew 1:2) tempting them to sin, including tempting the human race.

As a result of their sin, the character of both Adam and Eve changed from love to selfishness. And, by God’s great law of heredity, all Adam’s and Eve’s descendants have inherited their disposition to sin, and so all their descendants too have sinned.

This then is the origin of the sinful human nature that we see on display in the world today.

The Gift of Holiness

Now “the wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

This eternal life is not automatically given by God to every human being, for God has three requirements which must first be met by each person.

The first two of these requirements are that persons have “repentance [deep remorse and sorrow for one’s own sins] toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21. That is, they must be sorry for their sins and purpose in their hearts not to continue sinning. Also, they must believe that their only hope of ever receiving eternal life from God is through the work of Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race.

These two conditions, repentance and faith, are actually gifts from God. In order to repent, we must yield to the Holy Spirit who leads us to sorrow for our sins and to submit our will to God. And everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit.

Having met these two conditions, God gives us “the gift of righteousness.” Romans 5:17. This means that “the love of God is shed abroad [poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. This is the gift of holiness from God which enables us to stop sinning, and this milestone in our transformation is known as “justification.” Romans 4:25.

In addition, justification means that our past sins are forgiven by God. It also means that we have now entered into the second and final phase of our transformation which is known as “sanctification.” 1 Corinthians 1:30. We must successfully complete this phase in order to receive eternal life. Here in this lifelong process of sanctification we give proof to God that we have overcome all temptations to sin.

So, all the “sanctified” (John 17:19) will receive eternal life from God, for then God has ensured that they will never again choose to sin. In other words, God has ensured that human nature as we now know it will forever be a thing of the past.

What Exactly is Sinful Human Nature Like?

Up to this point in our study of human nature according to the Bible, we have understood that, in general, it means that human beings do not love the way God does. In fact, they have a heart of selfishness. But what exactly does this mean?

In the remainder of this post, I will show how human nature as we now know it in the world is largely a direct inheritance from Adam and Eve, in that, it has been passed down to us from generation to generation. Further, I will explain what is holiness as contrasted with the sinfulness of human nature.

This discussion will help you to see yourself and others through God’s eyes and the vast difference between sinfulness and holiness. For, unless we understand our natural human nature, we are sure to continue in the ways of sin and, hence, are doomed  to receive eternal death (annihilation) from God.

God’s Command to Adam and Eve

First let us consider that God, having created Adam and Eve as holy, intelligent beings, gave them a clear command.

For God says of Himself, “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man [Adam, and the woman, Eve,] whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:8, 9.

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die [eternally].” Genesis 2:16, 17.

So, God’s command was clear and there could be no ambiguity in God’s words to Adam and Eve.

The Temptation and Fall of Adam and Eve

God gives us in a few words in the Bible, the story of Adam’s and Eve’s temptation by Satan and the resulting fall of both of them into sin.

God says, “Now the serpent [which Satan made appear as if it could speak] was more subtil [subtle] than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he [Satan] said unto the woman [Eve], Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1.

“And the woman [Eve] said unto the serpent [which Eve thought could speak], We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” Genesis 3:2, 3.

“And the serpent [Satan] said unto the woman [Eve], Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4, 5.

“And when the woman [Eve] saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband [Adam] with her; and he [Adam] did eat.” Genesis 3:6.

This then is the story of how Adam and Eve yielded to Satan’s temptation to sin.

Adam’s and Eve’s New Sinful Human Nature

Here’s the story of what Adam’s and Eve’s new sinful human nature was like.

God says, “And the eyes of them both [Adam and Eve] were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” Genesis 3:7.

“And they [Adam and Eve] heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden [of Eden] in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife [Eve] hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” Genesis 3:8, 9.

“And he [Adam] said, I heard thy [God’s] voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he [God] said [to Adam], Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” Genesis 3:10, 11.

“And the man [Adam] said, The woman [Eve] whom thou [God] gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:12.

“And the LORD God said unto the woman [Eve], What is this that thou hast done? And the woman [Eve] said, The serpent beguiled [deceived] me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:13.

This then is the story of what Adam and Eve’s new sinful human nature was like. In the remainder of this post, I will explain why Adam and Eve’s human nature was now sinful and show how it is different from holiness. So, continue reading for there’s a lot to understand!

Human Nature: Distrust of God versus Holiness: Trust in God

Satan’s words to Eve implied that God had hidden motives in forbidding them to eat from one tree alone in the garden of Eden, “the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:9.

For Satan made it seem as if God was selfishly withholding them, Adam and Eve, from attaining a higher state of being in which they would be equal to God.

Hence, Adam and Eve became distrustful of God, that God had their best interests at heart. They, therefore, disobeyed God’s express command to them by eating from the forbidden tree. This then is the source of the characteristic of human nature to distrust God and it is sin for it is “without cause.” Job 2:3.

But God calls upon every human being, saying, “Trust in the LORD [God] with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5. “For I [God] know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD [God], thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end [which is eternal life].” Jeremiah 29:11.

Thus, to trust in God is holiness compared to sinful human nature which has distrust of God.

Human Nature: Unbelief in God versus Holiness: Faith in God

Again, Satan directly contradicted God’s words to Adam and Eve, when Satan told Eve they would not die if they disobeyed God. This was the first sermon on earth preaching the immortality of human beings.

For God had said to Adam and Eve that they would surely die an eternal death if they disobeyed His command. It is God “who only hath immortality [everlasting life]” (1 Timothy 6:16) and those who receive eternal death from God, “they shall be as though they had not been [had not existed].” Obadiah 1:16.

Both Adam and Eve displayed unbelief in God’s words because they believed Satan’s words instead of God’s. Here then is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature to have unbelief in God’s words.

For Adam and Eve knew God face-to-face, but succeeding generations who have not seen God go further and even question whether God exists at all. They also whether God has spoken to humanity through the Bible.

But God calls upon every human being, saying, “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established [in God’s ways of love].” 2 Chronicles 20:20. “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22.

So, belief in God is holiness compared to sinful human nature which has unbelief in God.

Human Nature: Attraction to Satan versus Holiness: Attraction to God

Satan’s words pleased Eve and she, therefore, ate from the forbidden tree.

This then is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature where “the word of the LORD [God] is unto them [to the human race] a reproach [a rebuke]; they have no delight in it.” Jeremiah 6:10. And humanity are they “who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness [evilness] of the wicked.” Proverbs 2:14.

But God says to every human being, “Delight thyself…in the LORD [God]” (Psalm 37:4), “the LORD [God who] is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Psalm 145:17.

Thus, delight in God is holiness compared to sinful human nature which has no delight in God. In other words, to be attracted to God is holiness and attraction to Satan is wicked human nature.

Human Nature: Hatred of God versus Holiness: Love of God

Adam and Eve opened the door to the sin of succeeding generations when they failed to delight in God. This is the source of the natural sinful characteristic of human nature which is that the human race are “haters of God.” Romans 1:30.

What does God have to say about this state of affairs? God says to every human being, “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:5.

That is, the love of God is holiness compared to sinful human nature which hates God.

Human Nature: Rashness versus Holiness: Well-Considered Actions

When Eve heard Satan’s words, she acted with ill-considered haste, in that, she did not pause to consult God about Satan’s words which had contradicted God’s words.

This then is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature wherein the human race is “rash” (Ecclesiastes 5:2), for they are “hasty of spirit [and so] exalteth folly [foolishness].” Proverbs 14:29.

But “thus saith the LORD [God] of hosts [to humanity]; Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:7. “Examine yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Thus, to take well-considered actions is holiness compared to sinful human nature which acts in haste, being rash.

Human Nature: Blaming Others versus Holiness: Accepting Responsibility

God asked Adam, “Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” Genesis 3:11. “And the man [Adam] said, The woman [Eve] whom thou [God] gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:12.

Here Adam effectively blames God and Eve for his sin, that is, Adam does “speak evil of [God].” 1 Peter 3:16.

Moreover, when God asked Eve, “What is this that thou hast done? And the woman [Eve] said, The serpent beguiled [deceived] me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:13.

Here Eve blames the serpent [which was Satan in disguise] and indirectly blames God for her sin. For Eve implies that if God had not created the serpent, she would not have sinned. Thus, Eve also does “speak evil of [God].” 1 Peter 3:16.

This then is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature wherein the human race casts blame on others for their own actions.

But God says, “Speak not evil one of another” (James 4:11) in that you “falsely accuse [others].” 1 Peter 3:16.

So then, not blaming others for our own actions is holiness compared to the natural sinful human nature which always blames others, refusing to accept responsibility for sins.

Human Nature: Self-Justification in a Wrong Course versus Holiness: Repentance

Adam and Eve’s inclination to justify themselves in a wrong course is the source of the same sinful human nature we see today in the world.

For God says to humanity, “Ye are they which justify yourselves [in sin] before men [before people]; but God knoweth your hearts.” Luke 16:15.

Thus, God says, “he [or she] that covereth his [or her] sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy [from God who will give them the gift of repentance so that they qualify to receive eternal life].” Proverbs 28:13.

In other words, repentance is holiness compared to the natural sinful nature of justifying oneself in a wrong course.

Human Nature: Lying versus Holiness: Truthfulness

Adam and Eve, in blaming others and justifying themselves in a wrong course, effectively said to God, “we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.” Isaiah 28:15. For they both knowingly chose to sin.

This is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature wherein “all men [all humanity] are liars.” Psalm 116:11.

But God says, “ Lying lips are abomination to the LORD [God]: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Proverbs 12:22. “Righteous lips are the delight of [the] kings [of the universe, which are the members of the Godhead]; and they love him that speaketh right.” Proverbs 16:13.

Therefore, truthfulness is holiness compared to the sinful human nature wherein every human being tells lies.

Human Nature: Selfishness versus Holiness: Love

Adam and Eve, in blaming others, justifying themselves in a wrong course, and lying, revealed that they were both “hateful, and hating one another.” Titus 3:3. For each, in their act of self-preservation, offered up the other to God as deserving of eternal death (annihilation) in their place.

This is the source of the sinful characteristic of the supreme selfishness of self-preservation which human nature displays in the world today.

But God says, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour [your fellow human being] as thyself: I am the LORD [God].” Leviticus 19:18. “Whosoever hateth his brother [his fellow human being] is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15.

Thus, love of others is holiness compared to the selfishness and hatred of the natural human nature.

Human Nature: Flattery versus Holiness: Straightforwardness

Satan’s words to Eve caused her to believe that she could attain to the height of being equal with God. She knew not that “a man [anyone] that flattereth his neighbour [his fellow being] spreadeth a net for his feet” (Proverbs 29:5), which was what Satan was doing to her.

Therefore, both Adam and Eve were such that they “flattereth…[themselves] in…[their] own eyes, until…[their] iniquity [sin] be found to be hateful.” Psalm 36:2.

This then is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature wherein human beings flatter others and are themselves easily influenced by flattery.

But God says to humanity, “Ye are puffed up [in pride by flattery].” 1 Corinthians 5:2. “For I say…to every man [to every human being]…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly.” Romans 12:3.

Also, “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying [of building up in godlinesss], that it may minister grace [a blessing from God] unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29.

Hence, straightforwardness in all speech is holiness compared to the flattering speech of sinful human nature.

Human Nature: Fear versus Holiness: Perfect Love

As it happened, after their sin, Adam and Eve “heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden [of Eden] in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife [Eve] hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” Genesis 3:8, 9.

This is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature wherein humanity “through fear of death…[are] all their lifetime subject to bondage [to sin and Satan].” Hebrews 2:15.

For God says, “There is no fear in [the] love [of God]; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. And this perfect love of God is only possible when the person receives the gift of righteousness, the gift of love, from God.

Moreover, when a person has perfect love for God, they will say of themselves wholeheartedly, “Because thy [God’s] lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.” Psalm 63:3.

So, the perfect love of God which casts out all fear is holiness compared to the sinful nature wherein there is a constant fear of death.

Human Nature: Covetousness versus Holiness: Contentment

Satan’s words to Eve led her to take the fruit of the forbidden tree. In effect, Eve stole from God for God had given neither herself nor Adam permission to eat from this tree.

This then is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature wherein people steal from others. But God says, “Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15.

This stealing arises from “covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5), that is, it is self-love, self-worship, which is evident in the sinful human nature of the world today.

But God says, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” Exodus 20:17. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.” Hebrews 13:5.

The idolatry of human nature is also evident in the worshipping of other so-called gods or the worshipping of material things other than the true God. But God says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3.

Thus, contentment and worship of the true God is holiness compared to the idolatry in all its forms of sinful human nature.

Human Nature: Indulgence of Appetite versus Holiness: Temperance

Adam and Eve’s yielding to Satan’s temptation to eat from the forbidden tree opened a floodgate of sin. For by their sin every human being is naturally “a glutton” (Deuteronomy 21:20) and of some it can be said that they are “a drunkard.” Deuteronomy 21:20.

What does it mean that human beings are gluttons? Consider the case of ancient Israel. God says, “They [Israel] sinned yet more against him [God] by provoking the most High [God] in the wilderness. And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat [the flesh of dead animals] for their lust. Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table [with meat] in the wilderness?” Psalm 78:17-19.

“They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat [the flesh of dead animals] was yet in their mouths, the wrath [anger] of God came upon them, and slew [killed] the fattest of them, and smote [struck] down [with death] the chosen men of Israel.” Psalm 78:30, 31.

“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” 1 Corinthians 10:6. In other words, humanity should be temperate in that they take into their body in moderate amounts that which is healthy and they avoid that which is unwholesome.

Adam and Eve’s yielding to appetite then is the source of sinful characteristic of human nature whereby humanity as a whole has a perverted appetite. That is, they do not eat according to the plant-based original diet given by God to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.

So, “temperance” (Acts 24:25) is holiness compared to the indulgence of appetite of the sinful human nature.

Human Nature: Lust for Power versus Holiness: Humility

Satan’s words to Eve caused her to desire to be equal with God. This is the source of the sinful characteristic of human nature whereby every human being has a lust for power.

Consider the case of king Herod: “And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” Acts 12:21, 22.

“And immediately the angel of the Lord [God] smote [struck] him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost [he died].” Acts 12:23. For “Thus saith the Lord GOD…thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God.” Ezekiel 28:2.

And “he [God] giveth more grace. Wherefore [Therefore] he [God] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace [the gift of righteousness which is the gift of love] unto the humble.” James 4:6.

So then, humility is holiness compared to the lust for power of the sinful human nature.

Conclusion

In this post, we have seen that human nature is sinful compared to holiness and, specifically, that human nature has as its source the sin of Adam and Eve.

It is true that the human race has not only inherited sinful tendencies from Adam and Eve, but they have also cultivated new sinful inclinations which they have passed on from generation to generation. But the basic human nature is the same from the time of Adam and Eve.

And regarding the natural human nature, God says in our Bible verse of focus for this post, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man [a person], but the end thereof are the ways of [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God].” Proverbs 14:12.

Pay careful attention to what God says: “He [or she] that trusteth in his [or her] own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he [or she] shall be delivered [by God from eternal death (annihilation)].” Proverbs 28:26.

So, ensure that you can stand before God “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that… [you] should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:27.

The Bible Teaches Us How to Obtain Eternal Life from God

“In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word [Christ] was with God, and the Word [Christ] was God.” John 1:1. “And the Word [Christ] was made flesh [was born as a baby boy named Jesus], and dwelt among us [human beings], (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father).” John 1:14. Thus, Christ, whose “name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13) is the One who gave the whole Bible to humanity, from the Bible’s beginning to its end. Further, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8), which is to say, Christ is love.

And every one of you as a human being are to “lay apart [put away] all filthiness and superfluity [abundance] of naughtiness [of wickedness], and receive with meekness the engrafted [the implanted] word [from God, which is the Bible and], which is able to save your souls [from annihilation by God as the penalty for sin].” James 1:21. For the word of God, the Bible, being implanted in us means that “the love of God is shed abroad [is poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [the Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. So then, “love is of God; and every one [every human being] that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7. This is known as “justification” (Romans 4:25) which is accomplished by our repentance, that is, our deep sorrow for our sins and the gift of faith from God, which when exercised to believe God’s promise of forgiveness of sins and cleansing from sin brings us the gift of love from God. Note that everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit.

Immediately upon our justification, God tests our character to see if we will successfully resist all temptation to sin. Our success depends on our exercising faith in Christ’s keeping power through the Holy Spirit and, hence, we become sanctified (made holy) and thus receive eternal life from God.

And this is life eternal [everlasting life], that they [as human beings] might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent [to the earth as a Deliverer from sin].” John 17:3. Thus, when the whole Bible makes our character a character of perfect love, it means that we know God and, hence, we will receive eternal life from God.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

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