"This perfection is the restoration of man to the state of holiness from which he fell, by creating him anew in Christ Jesus, and restoring to him that image and likeness of God which he has lost"
About this Quote
In this quote, Adam Clarke speaks to the doctrinal principle of redemption and sanctification within Christian idea. Clarke emphasizes that the ultimate goal of human existence is the remediation of a state of holiness-- a state that was lost due to the fall of guy, a referral to the Biblical story of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Clarke's analysis centers around the idea that mankind's original condition was one of best holiness, embodying the image and likeness of God as described in the Book of Genesis.
Clarke uses the expression "developing him anew in Christ Jesus" to highlight the transformative power of Christ's role in the Christian faith. The principle of being "created anew" aligns with the New Testament mentors, particularly in Paul's letters, where followers are motivated to comprehend themselves as brand-new productions in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This suggests a profound spiritual rebirth helped with through faith in Jesus, which involves not just a renewed ethical compass but a deep, intrinsic change of one's nature towards divine similarity.
The phrase "bring back to him that image and similarity of God which he has lost" further highlights the belief that humanity's preliminary divine similarity-- ethical pureness, spiritual stability, and a rightful relation to God-- has been tainted by sin. Through Christ's sacrificial act, Christians believe that they are used a path back to this lost divine likeness.
In sum, Clarke's words record a central style of Christian soteriology: the journey towards holiness is both a return and a renewal, grounded in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It's a procedure where the followers are gradually changed, striving to reflect the magnificent image at first enhanced to humanity. Clarke invites readers to view salvation not simply as a rescue but as a detailed remediation and excellence of human nature through divine intervention.
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