Originally Posted by John_C
The cause it that we inherited this nature from Adam, our Federal Head.
Yes, we did inherit the sin nature from Adam as part of God's punishment for Adam's disobedience. Further, the cause of fallen man's inability is that he WILL NOT love God nor anything that is good, holy and righteous. The mind is at enmity with God (Rom 8:7,8) and the affections are darkened from the inherent hatred of God (Eph 4:17-19). Contrast this with Matt 22:3; Jh 3:19; 5:40; Rom 8:9,10; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10; et. al.

The "will" is subject to the intellect (what man knows and deems important) and the affections (what man deems desirable).

Thus the difficult yet undeniable truth is: Man will not because he cannot. And, he cannot because he will not.

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simul iustus et peccator

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