In biology they have a term: gene expression. The term refers to the process in which the data in an individual gene is used to produce the function that the gene is intended to produce. It's in everything that has genes, from bacteria to human beings. Gene expression is the term for the observable trait that the gene produces. According to biology, there are somewhere between 19,000 and 20,000 genes in the human genome, all coded into the DNA strands. These determine our appearance, our abilities, our weaknesses and strengths, our sex, our lives. Physically, we are what we are as a function of the expression of our genes.
Jesus said, "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart" (Luke 6:43-45). That is, the kind of person we exhibit ourselves to be is the expression of the kind of person we are inside. Our actions and attitudes, choices and decisions -- all that we live out -- are expressions of an inner truth. So a false prophet can be discovered by observing his or her "fruit" (Matt 7:18-20). A person born of God can be observed by his or her life (1 John 3:9). Human character is a type of "heart expression" where the true person inside always becomes visible outside.
Humans are not sinful because they sin; they sin because they're sinful. It is the expression of the heart (Gen 8:21; Jer 17:9). But believers are born again (John 3:5-6) where the old passes and all things become new (2 Cor 5:17). Believers, then, have this certainty: God has produced a change in us, not by our doing, but His. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). His purpose is to conform "these whom He predestined" into the image of His Son (Rom 8:28-30). And we can have every confidence that "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Php 1:6). An external expression of an internal, spiritual work done in those who follow Christ.
3 comments:
Thank you for this. The "Humans sin because they are sinful..." is a point I've made for years. Not only does this perspective take the focus off of trying to keep score of our sins and hoping we don't sin too much, it focuses us back to YHWH who begins the internal change that will free us from our sinful nature.
It's always fun to see how you tie secular concepts into theological matters. Thank you.
Although I know that even unregenerate people can manage to appear to be “righteous” and even perform good deeds, I also know this is only as judged by human standards. According to God's standards, we are all utterly unrighteous at our core and will naturally express that fact. I am so grateful for the New Birth and to have my heart's DNA reconfigured, so to speak, so I can be more like the person God graciously intends for me to be--with “heart expression” resembling the Lord Jesus Christ.
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