Tuesday, May 22

Romans 3:10-18 (First, the bad news)

Romans 3:10-18 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes."

The world says that man is basically good, but empirical evidence, such as the many millions of war and murder victims in cemeteries worldwide, proves this to be false. This does not count the approximately 50 million aborted babies that never received a grave. In this powerful passage, Paul sums up his explanation on the total depravity of man by saying that no one is righteous, does good, or even understands. This does not mean that men are as utterly depraved as they possibly could be, but it means that depravity is pervasive in our hearts, thinking, speaking, and actions. We sin by word, deed, actions, and inactions. We are all guilty and subject to the wrath of God. The following items are some of the problems and sins common to fallen man, and everyone has struggled with some items on this list:

murders, robberies, rapes, burglaries, cheating, lying, pornography, child abuse, wife abuse, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, nicotine addiction, pedophilia, abortion, sexual perversions, sexual abuse, lust, envy, coveting, character assassination, verbal abuse, gossiping, rudeness, polygamy, hate, self-righteousness, animal abuse, extortion, deceiving, Islamic fascism, racial hatred, organized crime, white collar crime, forgery, etc.

Although the fall of man rendered him depraved with a sin nature rather than basically good, praise God that he provided a way that man can become righteous and be reconciled to fellowship with Almighty God.

5 comments:

donsands said...

Heavy words from Paul. And good thoughts on his words.

What makes the good news good, is the bad news.

No matter how good one may seem to be, and may well be to others, the set standard for righteousness, and eternal life after death, is the Man Jesus of Nazerath. If you can live as He lived, then you will be welcomed into heaven.

Anything below this standard shall send you to your just place, which is below, and out of the presence of the Lord.

Even So... said...

Mankind is basically bad...especially so in light of our glorious Savior!

mark pierson said...

No, no man merely got a boo-boo in the Fall. He can still choose God. He is still basically good. Given the right set of circumsatances (good surroundings, proper timing) and he'll respond to the gospel. After all, if I was knocked to the ground while suurounded by a bright light I would be a believer in no time. :-)

Every Square Inch said...

Jazzycat

I'm here from Craver's blog. I love your commitment to the authentic gospel. Excellent - keep up the good work!

jazzycat said...

Mark,
So true. The thinking that man is basically good illustrates the problem we have with suppressing the truth.

every square inch,
Thanks for stopping in. Come again.