Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 7.11-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Eccl.+7.11-29 ) and John 8.39-59 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+8.39-59 ).
Did you ever have this conversation with someone? I was speaking with a man some years ago and brought up the fact that there's an easy explanation for people's ill treatment of other people. He immediately jumped on me verbally and told me not to try "that religion junk that people are bad." This man's point of view was that people are good by nature. Yet he rather quickly turned to discuss how bad people are. They lie, cheat, swindle, violate other people's rights, break laws, and act for their own advancement rather than other peoples' good. He was utterly unable to explain why people acted badly if they are good. And despite all evidence to the contrary, he maintained that people are basically good.
Jesus would differ with this man and with the countless others like him. Those who do not believe on Christ are of their father the Devil. Jesus views us as evil by nature, fallen prey to the curse of Adam and thus corrupt in all our parts. While we are not as bad as might be possible, there is nothing we can or will do which is not tainted by sin. This is the doctrine theologians call "total depravity."
What is our response to depravity? We repent and believe Christ. We thank the Lord for showing us the depth of our sin so we can see the height of his redeeming love. Rejoice that through faith in Christ we become children of our heavenly Father rather than of our father the Devil.
Did you ever have this conversation with someone? I was speaking with a man some years ago and brought up the fact that there's an easy explanation for people's ill treatment of other people. He immediately jumped on me verbally and told me not to try "that religion junk that people are bad." This man's point of view was that people are good by nature. Yet he rather quickly turned to discuss how bad people are. They lie, cheat, swindle, violate other people's rights, break laws, and act for their own advancement rather than other peoples' good. He was utterly unable to explain why people acted badly if they are good. And despite all evidence to the contrary, he maintained that people are basically good.
Jesus would differ with this man and with the countless others like him. Those who do not believe on Christ are of their father the Devil. Jesus views us as evil by nature, fallen prey to the curse of Adam and thus corrupt in all our parts. While we are not as bad as might be possible, there is nothing we can or will do which is not tainted by sin. This is the doctrine theologians call "total depravity."
What is our response to depravity? We repent and believe Christ. We thank the Lord for showing us the depth of our sin so we can see the height of his redeeming love. Rejoice that through faith in Christ we become children of our heavenly Father rather than of our father the Devil.
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