1. What did Paul say is the natural condition of man?
By H.
1. What did Paul say is the natural condition of man?
2. How many are thus bound? “All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23. 3. What is the final end of this condition? “To be carnally minded is death.” Rom. 8:6. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Eze. 18:20. 4. How may this result be avoided? “Return ye now every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.” Jer. 18:11. 5. What is the promise to those who return to God? “Thus saith Jehovah, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, that thou mayest stand before Me;” “I will heal your backslidings.” Jer. 15:19; 3:22. 6. What steps are included in conversion? “Godly SORROW worketh REPENTANCE unto salvation.” 2 Cor. 7:10. “He that covereth his transgression shall not prosper; But whoso CONFESSETH and FORSAKETH them shall obtain mercy.” Prov. 28:13. Note.—It will thus be seen that conversion includes sorrow for sin, repentance, confession, and forsaking sin. One leads naturally to the other. Some one has said that conversion means, Right about face. But true conversion goes farther; it is not only, Right about face, but Forward, march. True service is not negative, but positive; it is not in doing no sin, but in doing right; not in standing still, but in pressing on to higher attainments. 7. With these steps taken, what follows? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. 8. Indeed, when are the sins forgiven? “I HAVE BLOTTED OUT, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me, for I HAVE redeemed thee.” Isa. 44:22. H.