I too, have spent a lot of time studying Scriptures concerning the Popular religious philosophy in this world God placed me in, that all humans are born with a "Sin Nature". This philosophy is not isolated to just Calvinism in my view, but is pretty much a foundational doctrine for much of this world's religions, who profess to know God.
What I have found in my study, and having observed in my own children, is that humans are born with desires and lusts, the capacity for anger, compassion, loyalty, the drive for self preservation and self interest, and most interesting to me, is stubbornness. Watch the behavior of a Toddler and it is easy to see all these natural components of the humans mind. I too, was convinced that all these natural tendencies were proof that humans are born with a Sin Nature, but have since questioned this popular philosophy. I think the poster has maybe come to the same conclusion.
As I studied, it became more evident and God Himself, exhibited all of these tendencies. He has and expressed His Desires, concerning His creation. He showed the capacity for self interest.
Ez. 36: 21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. 22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
God clearly has Anger. And perhaps HE doesn't have the drive for "Self Preservation", nevertheless, for His Kingdom's Sake, HE has placed condition and restriction on His Own Free will, like Mercy and Just Judgment, without which no kingdom can survive.
And who can argue with the fact that God is Steadfast/stubborn in His Ways. How many times has HE said, "I am God, and there is no other", and of course, "I am God, I change not".
Consider Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego. They were, of their own free will, loyal to God, they lusted and desired God's Promises which are the ultimate "Self Interest, and self Preservation", in my view. And consider their stubbornness.
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that "we will not" serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Imagine how stubborn these 3 must have seemed to the King. That they would risk death, before rejecting the instruction of their God and risk forfeiting the Promises He made to them.
And this ability, this capacity, was instilled in them and every human, at birth.
Jesus too, exhibited all this traits, but used them as a shield and weapon for self preservation. He had the power to knock every Pharisee off their horse, like HE did Paul, but even after HE rose from the dead, HE only chose the ones God sent to Him. Like His Father, He chose to place the limitations of His free Will that His Father gave Him. He exhibited Anger at the mainstream preachers of His Time, and could have destroyed all of them with one prayer. But HE placed, of His own free Will, limitation of His anger according to the will of God.
Paul talks about being "Steadfast" in this Belief in God, which HE calls "Faith". Surely Shadrack exhibited this steadfastness. I could go on and on, but it seems to me that when God said HE created humans in His Likeness, this is what HE meant. And for those who "Yield themselves" to Him and "Seek His Righteousness", these folks learn how to use these natural human emotions and tendencies as God intended. And those who are "Learned of the Father" are given to Jesus for cleansing.
Clearly there are righteous desires and unrighteous desires.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
It isn't the natural desire to want something, or to seek self interest in my view, that is evil. It's "Yielding ourselves" To God, letting Him teach and direct us in how to use, and where to direct them, that they become the blessing, in my view.
Even Jesus "Learned obedience from the things He suffered", and this is righteousness, in my understanding.
