Every once in a while, some scholar announces what he claims is an original contribution to human knowledge. Congratulations—if it really is. But often the new discovery is just an old truth that the Bible has taught throughout the centuries.

According to sociologist Robert Bellah, “One of our current psychological gurus says that 98 percent of Americans are dysfunctional. No doubt he is right. He has just discovered original sin, though he is mistaken if he thinks 2 percent are without.”

This “discovery” that we are, in current jargon, “dysfunctional” is simply a rediscovery and a restatement of the apostle Paul’s inspired verdict: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

But what can we do about this universal inability to function as we ought in our relationship with God and one another? Researchers are constantly proposing new methods of dealing with frustrating maladjustments. Yet there is only one guaranteed cure that deals with the eternal consequences of sin and opens the way for overcoming sin’s pull right now. It’s the message of God’s grace working in our lives as we put our personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (6:23).

Have you newly discovered this old truth?