By this transgression, generally known as original sin, the image of God was utterly defaced in man, and he and his children became by nature, hostile to God, slaves to Satan, and servants to sin. And thus everlasting death has had, and shall have, power and dominion over all who have not been, are not, or shall not be reborn from above. (Scots Confession IIIa- written primarily by John Knox 1560).
Scripture: Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:12: Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--
Thoughts: This part of the creed answers the question, "What did sin do to us?" The image was defaced, like a beautiful painting can be defaced. The beauty was taken away. This sin effected all people- the one who did it first and all those who followed them. Kind of like one leader's decision to enter a war could mean that his whole land was devastated with destruction. Death casts a shadow over us because of sin. Sometimes sin leads directly to death- through murder or war. Sometimes sin leads indirectly through the worries of life, or the bad decisions of life (like smoking or overindulging in alcohol). But the creed ends with a negative way of hope- those who are not reborn have death empowered over them. But this implies that there is a way of hope- a rebirth.
Prayer: Forgive me Lord, for all the times I scare your image, and dull your glory through my sin.
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