We are raised on the view that people are essentially good. The problem is that most of the stories on our daily news raise serious questions about the truth of this; however much we affirm and insist on it, we can never quite get rid of the doubts about ourselves.
The Bible says something much more real and hopeful. It says that, while we were created essentially good (actually, “very good” – Genesis 1:31), falsehood and evil intruded, and was passed on to every person from that time. We are all inclined to do things that are wrong.
Yet, because evil is an intruder and not part of God’s good purpose for us, He can do something to free and heal us from its guilt and brokenness, restore our innocence and give us back all His good gifts. He has done this in Jesus Christ and offers it to the world as a gift of grace.
We must acknowledge the problem before we can receive it, and that’s where our culture, which denies the truth, creates a block. As Christians we can also deny the things in us that are wrong, and therefore not receive God’s grace and healing in that part of our lives.
May we be open to see and accept our need, and have God abundantly meet it.
Grace upon grace, Jonathan.