How do we have both depravity and dignity?

How do we have both depravity and dignity?

The nature of humanity can be understood from three different perspectives but each is vital to understanding our own personality from the Christian perspective. These perspectives are as follows:

1.             Humanity in its created state: we are created in the image of God, are responsible and have free will to make choices, including moral ones.

2.             Humanity in its fallen state- we have the nature and effects of sin and its relationship to human freedom.

3.             Humanity in its redeemed state: we have the understanding of redemption and new creation.

God gave humanity dignity when He created them, because Scripture tells us that we are created in the ‘image and likeness of God.’ The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if we exist, it is because God has created us through love, and through love continues to hold us in existence.  

We cannot live fully according to truth, unless we freely acknowledge that love and entrusts ourselves to His creator.  Of all visible creatures, only man is "able to know and love his creator." He is "the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake," and he alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God's own life. It was for this end that he was created, and this is the fundamental reason for his dignity:

Being in the image of God, the human individual possesses the dignity of a person , who is not just something, but someone. We are capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving ourselves and entering into communion with other persons. And we are called by grace to a covenant with our Creator, to offer Him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give in his stead.  God created everything for man, but man in turn was created to serve and love God, and to offer all creation back to him.

Depravity in the human being exists through the fall of our first parents. The nature and effects of sin, which resides in human beings is such that there is a desire also to be independent of God- we will not serve.  As a result, there is a natural tendency in man towards evil, and the evil one knows how to use this fault line in man to full advantage.

However, there is the Good News that humanity has a redeemed state. Jesus Christ came to save us and to redeem us to our Heavenly Father.  Naturally, in this life there still exists the tension between depravity and dignity, but God provides us with the opportunities to overcome our depraved state, our weaknesses, our desire to be independent of Him in its many forms, and in His great love, sent His Son to reconcile the whole word to Himself.

PRACTICAL VIEWPOINT.

From a practical viewpoint, we need to be aware of, and willing to face our own depravity and dignity, before we can effectively be in relationship with another.  In being aware of our own weaknesses and sinfulness in body, mind and spirit, we are then also able to be more conscious of other people’s dignity, and the impact of their redeemed state in his/her life.  There are many Scriptures, which illustrate this aspect effectively.  Proverbs 28:13 says: ‘No one who conceals his sins will prosper, whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

In everyday life we come face to face with both the dignity and depravity of our family, work colleagues, parishioners and other people whom cross our path.  When we give other people effective listening, encouragement and support, the other person will, in turn, become aware of his/her own dignity and depravity also in his body, mind and spirit.  We can support and encourage other people through his/her ‘depraved state’, so that a healthier redeemed state can be achieved.  The depravity and dignity of the other person will not disappear, but the capacity to accept God’s redemption on a personal level will, through the power of the Holy Spirit.