In Romans 3:10-18 we see the depravity of humanity clearly as in other passages of Scripture. Many in our day desire to debate the depravity of mankind but the reality of our depravity is both biblically based and experientially based. We know through the Scriptures that we depraved before God (Isaiah 59:2) and we know that our own experience shows that we are sinful before God. Paul says in Romans 2:15 that our conscience bears witness of our guilt before a holy God. We know that we are sinful because of our guilty conscience that none of us can run from. We try to hide our guilt. We try to educate our way out of our guilt but the reality is that we are guilty and we know it.
In Romans 3:10-18 Paul shows the total depravity of humans. Notice how he works through the entire human body.
1. There is none righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10)
2. There are none who seek after God (Romans 3:11)
3. We are all worthless and none do good (Romans 3:12)
4. Our throats are an open grave and with our tongues we keep deceiving (Romans 3:13)
5. Our mouths are full of cursing and bitterness (Romans 3:14)
6. Our feet are swift to shed blood (Romans 3:15)
7. Destruction and misery are in our path (Romans 3:16)
8. The path of peace we have not known (Romans 3:17)
9. There is no fear of God before our face (Romans 3:18)
That is pretty clear. We are not basically good people who are corrupted. We are totally depraved creatures. Apart from the grace of God and the Holy Spirit, none of us could be saved. We must depend then in evangelism upon the Spirit of God to convict and save the lost (John 16:8-11). Jesus said that none can come to Him unless the Father draws them (John 6:44). The Holy Spirit opens hearts to hear the gospel and repent (Acts 16:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-21). We must depend upon the Holy Spirit and His glorious gospel to see the lost saved.
But let us beware not to try to paint a picture of humanity that makes us “not that bad.” We are depraved. We need Jesus. We need His grace and His mercy. We must depend on the gospel of Jesus Christ completely to be transformed (2 Corinthians 5:17). God gave His Son for our sins (John 3:16 NKJV) and need to always, completely and faithfully cast ourselves upon Jesus and His blood to be saved. We can not overcome our depravity any other way but through Jesus Christ. Oh let us not try to heal the wounds of people with any other thing but the blood of the Lamb of God (John 1:29) who alone can save sinners by His grace.
© 2011, Matt. All rights reserved.
