Mans Condition
“Man is condemned to be free. Condemned, because he did not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment that he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does.” – Jean-Paul Sartre
This is a good description of man, who he is and his chief problem. He did not create himself and is free to choose as he will, but he is responsible for all that he chooses.
Mans Plight
It is also a description of the curse and how the grace of redemption factors in. We were given freedom of will when we were created; freedom to choose to do good or evil. Adam’s fall is the primary and chief example of this when he chose to eat the fruit of the tree of life – that which was forbidden by God. Despite Gods existence and omnipotence He gave man this gift of free will as I believe He wanted love from those who were willing and not by mere robots programmed to love him without any inclination on their own part.
There Is Grace
Herein lies the potential for the curse however, as if we chose to do evil we would eat the fruit of perdition. But despite our willful disobedience, there is grace, the beautiful redemption of mankind, despite our willingness to choose something other than God. He has redeemed us, making us not responsible for our actions, thereby lifting the curse of free will, yet leaving free will in place as we still have the option to choose this grace; to choose God.
Nothing has changes, we could have chosen God before the fall or can choose Him now, one however is without the responsibility of our actions.
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