The Bible teaches that all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We’re first introduced to this biblical truth in Genesis 3 where the crafty serpent distorts God’s Word by lying to Eve in convincing her to eat fruit from the one tree in the garden God specifically prohibited Adam and Eve from eating. By sharing the fruit from that tree with her husband, Adam also ate and was immediately guilty of disobeying God as well. This original sin, committed by our forefathers, has since been passed down to every one and every generation to have walked the earth.
French theologian, pastor and reformer, John Calvin, is widely known for his thoughts and position on depravity or ‘total depravity’ as he refers to it. This doctrine is one we too should endeavor to understand for at least two reasons. First, we should acknowledge our own depravity, which can then help us understand our position in relation to a holy God, which is to say, separated from God as a result of our disobedience and sin. Secondly, it is important we understand the doctrine of depravity if we hope to have any impact evangelizing others.
In his book, Reenchanting Humanity, author Owen Strachan states, “The one created from dust and given the ability to rise far above it will now return to it (Genesis 3:19). Rejection of the divine design and divine decree has led to sin; sin has led to the cursing of the created order; the created order must now decay and die. We cannot leave our terrible state by positivity alone. If we would rise from the ashes, then we must know why we are here and why we are so innately sinful and selfish, and thus position ourselves to marvel at the mercy of God in Christ.”
As Strachan notes, fortunately, our story does not need to end with death and despair. There is “good news” – the Gospel! As we begin to understand our depravity, and recognizing we can do absolutely nothing concerning our sinful condition, our hearts can then be primed to see our need for a savior and the substitutionary atonement which Jesus Christ, alone, provided through his death on a cross and subsequent resurrection three days later. When we put our faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ and enter into a relationship with Him, Christ begins the process of sanctifying us by molding and shaping our hearts to conform to His commands and His Word, thereby allowing us to walk in freedom. As Psalm 119:45 states, “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments” (NLT).
Though Romans 3:23 reminds us how we have fallen short, the very next verse (Romans 3:24) speaks to the amazing grace of God and the redemption that is available through Christ Jesus. Let us, therefore, be encouraged to ask the Holy Spirit to help us acknowledge our depravity, confess our sin, repent, and turn to the One who can reconcile us to a holy God so that we may walk in the freedom only Christ provides.