Can you be sure your discussions will “Win Friends and Influence People”? There are many topics that will create lengthy discussions. Isn’t it good to have discussions and get views from another perspective? Some discussions have resolved complex issues. Some discussions have made friends. Many discussions have created ill feeling between friends and/or family members. How do you have a civilized discussion when you know your perspective is right?

As in any discussion, only God’s perspective matters. What we think or believe does not matter. What does the Bible say? All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23 & 5:12) Both the ones pointing the finger and the one being pointed at. A lot of people say, “I was born this way”. Many Christian’s will say “I saw those tendencies when they were babies, maybe God did create them that way. If God created us, then does this mean that he created imperfection and evil?
No, evil is not a “thing” like a rock. Evil has no existence of its own; it is really the absence of good. For example, holes are real, but they only exist in something else. We call the absence of dirt a hole, but it cannot be separated from the dirt. All that God created was good. God made creatures who had the freedom to choose good. In order to have a real choice, God had to allow there to be something besides good to choose. So, God allowed these free angels and humans to choose good or reject good (evil). When bad exists between two good things, we call that evil, but it does not become a “thing” that required God to create.
Adam and Eve were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6). When Adam fell into sin, the result was every one of his descendants also being “infected” with sin. We are also in the image and likeness of Adam (Genesis 5:3). Yes, all people inherited sin from Adam and Eve, specifically from Adam. Even if we live the best life possible, we are still sinners as a result of inherited sin.
God judged so that I don’t have to. The Bible is clear as to what is sin. Sadly, some Christians (and/or some who claim to be Christians), take the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality and apply/proclaim it in hateful ways. The Bible describes homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Homosexuality is, ultimately, a result of the Fall.
Jesus provided the answer to sin. We need to be saved because we have sinned. The Bible also teaches that, because God is holy and just, He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. The punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23) and eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:11–15). Without God’s plan of salvation, eternal death is the destiny of every human being.
We are unable to save ourselves because of our sin. God became a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14). Jesus lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5) and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice on our behalf (1 Corinthians 15:3; Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 10:10). The death of Jesus Christ on the cross fully paid for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2). His resurrection from the dead demonstrated that His sacrifice was indeed sufficient, and that salvation is now available.
Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” God has provided for our salvation through Jesus Christ. All we must do is receive it, by faith, fully trusting in Jesus alone as Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). That is God’s plan of salvation.
If you need or want additional truth from the Bible you are welcome to email me at brianb@bachtold.com. I hope you will read and understand the Biblical view and seek help in understanding your sin and the need to accept Jesus as your savior.