Depravity

Thoughts on Depravity

It is no secret that Scripture teaches that man is a sinner (Rom. 3:23). Depravity does not mean that man is as bad as he can be; rather it is man is as bad off as he can be. Man may be relativity good, but still be lost because of sin. The doctrine confirms two things: First, it looks at man from God’s perspective. Second, our goodness is insufficient to save us from our sin. We are all under sin (Gal. 3:22) regardless how good, moral, and generous we may be in our life.

We are under sin in three ways: First, personal sin. This is sin we commit by the exercise of our own will. We all have a degree of ungodliness and disobedience and transgressions that we personally commit. Second, there is the sin nature. We are all inclined to sin because of our nature. It is our natural desire to sin. The law of sin dwells in us (Rom. 7:25). None of us are inherit righteous (Rom 3:10-18). Third, we are in the state of sin (Rom. 11:32). Our depravity comes from personal acts of sin, our sin nature, and our state of sin. We are under condemnation because of our depravity (Rom. 1:18. John 3:18). No man can escape it by his own method. We cannot save ourselves. Depravity will not allow it. Because of depravity we are dead in our transgression and sin.

Jesus Christ is the answer to our depravity; not our goodness, religion, church, or sacraments. Salvation comes only by the person of Jesus Christ and His work on our behalf at the cross. “Now there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10). It is by faith that His righteousness is credited to us (Rom. 4:5). It is by grace through faith that we are justified and have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). We are justified by His blood, being saved from the wrath to come (Rom. 5;9). It comes as a gift (Eph. 2:8). This gift is received by faith. By receiving His gift of salvation by faith, He has “made us alive together with Christ” (Rom. 2:5). Salvation is not what we achieve; but what we receive by grace through faith.