“Origenal” Sin

Psalms 50:15-23

15“Trust me in your times of trouble,

and I will rescue you,

and you will give me glory.”

16But God says to the wicked:

“Recite my laws no longer,

and don’t pretend that you obey me.

17For you refuse my discipline

and treat my laws like trash.

18When you see a thief, you help him,

and you spend your time with adulterers.

19Your mouths are filled with wickedness,

and your tongues are full of lies.

20You sit around and slander a brother—

your own mother’s son.

21While you did all this, I remained silent,

and you thought I didn’t care.

But now I will rebuke you,

listing all my charges against you.

22Repent, all of you who ignore me,

or I will tear you apart,

and no one will help you.

23But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.

If you keep to my path,

I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”

Origen (185–253) was a great Christian in a difficult time. He was the son of a Christian martyr, and he himself aspired to martyrdom. He wrote great works of theology that helped to anchor the young church.

But during another wave of persecution even Origen stumbled. At this time anyone who was brought before the Roman authorities was required to offer a pinch of incense as a sacrifice to the emperor and hail him as a god. Many Christians refused and were executed. Origen, too, was tested in this way. Threatened with death, the great teacher offered the incense.

Origen later traveled to various cities, doing some private teaching and writing. People were amazed at his wisdom. Once in Jerusalem he was asked to preach in a church service. He took the book of Psalms, prayed, and opened it to Psalm 50:16: “Recite my laws no longer, and don’t pretend that you obey me.” Stricken with remorse over the incense he had offered, Origen shut the book, sat down speechless, and burst into tears. Eventually he said, “The prophet David himself shut the door of my lips.”

This section of Psalm 50 is targeted toward wicked people who pretend to be righteous. Origen was convinced that he fell into that category. Maybe we do, too. God’s message is: “Stop the act! Repent! Get back on track, and I will show you salvation!”

With broken heart and contrite sigh,

A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry;

Thy pardoning grace is rich and free:

O God, be merciful to me!

CORNELIUS ELVEN

Bible Networking

“Repent” (verse 22), or turning from our evil ways, is a New Testament concept, too. See Matthew 11:20; Luke 13:3, 5; 15:7, 10; and Acts 2:38.

Notable Quotable

“It is still easier to offer a bull, sacrifice a goat, make a special gift, or do a job than to grapple with the hard realities of honest faith.”

JOHN I. DURHAM