For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. (Romans 11:32 ESV)
Strange Gifts
I have a neighbor who keeps goats. Those goats like to wander around the neighborhood consuming things. Such consumption causes neighbors to be frustrated, or even angry. So, my neighbor has built a fence. It might appear that my neighbor likes fences. But he neither likes nor dislikes fences, his real purpose is having friendly neighbors.
Presently, my driveway is disrupted by three large potholes. Those potholes are irritating, dangerous, and ugly. But to get home, I must drive over them. They are, at present, a part of my pathway to happiness.
God’s highest intent for His people is that we cling to Jesus, and Him alone. God’s highest intent for His people is not, since Adam’s fall, simply that we would be obedient. God’s desire is for us to love His Son. Our disobedience, while odious to Him, provides the avenue for us to be in that glorious and necessary relationship with Him.
Sin and unrighteousness exist in my life, so that I need Jesus.
There is no value in our sin, other than that sin leads us through Christ, to God.