The above is for
@Taken, but...
This has confused me somewhat.
We have sin in the world after the first man sinned.
But then we have to contend with:
Romans 4:15 and Romans 5:13
Romans 4:15
15for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.
Romans 5:13
13for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
So God caused the flood because man was so sinful.
He destroyed S and G due to sins.
But Paul says that sin was not imputed to man because there can be no sin if there is no law. Coveting is not sinful, unless the law lets us know that coveting in a sin.
So, sin was imputed in a general way upon mankind, but not in a personal way. In the O.T. righteousness was achieved on an individual basis based on the deeds, be they righteous or evil.
Just thinking out loud...
SIN in a nutshell IS rebellion AGAINST GOD.
The key word is not SIN, but rather the key word is AGAINST God.
Everything hinges on;
Being AGAINST God
Or
Being WITH God
Because all men are naturally born, from a natural seed of a man who Rebelled AGAINST God, ta da, ALL men are naturally Born in sin AGAINST God.
AND, that living soul God gave us, which quickened our corrupt natural body into a living state....
Well, we are in sin, and everything we do, while NOT being WITH GOD....oops, affects our living soul being in our corrupt body.
What a blow eh? Bummer.
The WHOLE of Scripture is designed to teach men of their own generation HOW TO BE WITH God. I say "of their own generation"...
Because like our own little children; who begin knowing little; so also were the first men who inhabited the earth.
So we look back, and observe the generations of men, having done with them exactly what we do with our young children.
RULES, RULES, RULES. It's a teaching method. God used it, parents use it. Teaching the "unknowing" for their benefit, AND well-being. And as the parent or (God), keeping an eye on those children who are being taught. Reign them in when they disobey, and stray and they learn and try things on their own.
And we don't tell them EVERYTHING at once, that they shall need to Function in a corrupt world. It's bit, by bit. As children grow and mature, we give them more knowledge, understanding, observe their responsibility, are pleased with them at time and displeased at other time....
It is the same with God and generations of men.
Parents can faulter, break a promise, lie, let things slide, be forgiving, be honorable, be trustworthy, or not.
God can only be truthful and faithful to His own Word. If He says it; it is. We do not have to wonder IF He is trustworthy.
Thousands of years of rules/laws given to generations of men via God....hello.
Look at the generation of men today.
Instant knowledge available, travel, communication abounds, etc. etc....
Look at Gods Rules/Laws.
Began with ONE...Trust to Believe.
Ends with ONE...Trust to Believe.
And inbetween the beginning and these last days, were the rules/laws for beginners.
All the information and knowledge is now revealed. These are the last days.
Time for men to decide.
Choose thee this day...
With God or Against God...that simple.
And Gods Word? Gods Desire? The SAME.
Always the same from the beginning:
With Him or Against Him.
True Belief in Him or Against Him.
He is coming soon, to claim His Church, His People, and purify the earth, as He first cleansed the earth with water, He shall purify the earth with fire.
God Bless,
Taken