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The Golden Chain - Robert J. Wieland

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effect the salvation of those who believe. We read<br />

of Adam's pure innocence, but never do we read of<br />

his righteousness.<br />

If Adam had known or believed such agape, he<br />

would not have chosen sin. He would have chosen<br />

to die on a cross. Such agape had never before been<br />

demonstrated to the unfallen universe. Instead of<br />

having that mind of agape, Adam selfishly chose to<br />

suffer Eve's fate—not in order to redeem her, but<br />

because he loved her more than he loved God. He<br />

joined her in sin. He did not have the divine love<br />

("mind") to be her savior.<br />

Thus the sinlessness of Adam before the fall<br />

was neither agape nor righteousness. But Paul<br />

describes the mind of Christ as "the righteousness<br />

of One [by which] the free gift came upon all men<br />

unto justification of life" (Romans 5:18).<br />

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