But in his lapsed and sinful state, man is not capable, of…
““But in his lapsed and sinful state, man is not capable, of any by himself, either to think, to will, or to do that which is really good, but it is necessary for him to be regenerated and renewed in his intellect, affections or will, and in all his powers, by God in Christ through the Holy Spirit, that he may be qualified rightly to understand, esteem, consider, will, and perform whatever is truly good. When he is made a partaker of this regeneration or renovation, I consider that, since he is delivered from sin, he is capable of thinking, willing, and doing that which is good, but yet not without the continued aids of Divine Grace.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human nature is flawed and cannot achieve true good without divine regeneration, which enables proper intellect, will, and actions through God's grace.
In simple terms: We need God's help to truly think and act well.
Key Takeaway
Seek divine renewal for moral capability.
Themes
theology
grace
human nature
regeneration
Mood
solemn
thoughtful
Type
theological
didactic
When to use this quote
- personal repentance
- church teaching
- spiritual counseling
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
divine assistance
spiritual renewal
ethical capacity
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does personal responsibility play after regeneration?
- How can communities support ongoing spiritual growth?
A Different Perspective
Grace alone may not guarantee consistent moral behavior without personal effort.