We have entered one of, if not the most controversial passages of Scripture, when we enter Romans 3:10-18. Why do I say that? It is the most twisted and distorted among all men. This passage of Scripture teaches that all men everywhere are depraved and in need of salvation. All men are in need of being rescued from the wrath of God that rests on them, yet many think because they are “good” in the sense they help others, they try to live a moral life, God will NOT judge them! According to what we will see in this passage those who “feel” this way are gravely mistaken!
Paul said in Romans 1:16:“He was not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
The heart of the Gospel is God sending His Own Son in the flesh to rescue sinners, depraved man, from His wrath, judgment, and condemnation. If God sent His Son to rescue man then man is in need of rescuing! The men Christ has come to save are the ones described in Romans 3:10-18. Once again we must emphasize that this includes all men everywhere.
How Does Romans 3 Describe all Mankind?
Man is not sick or a little sinful, he is depraved.
Total Depravity: Sin has affected all parts of man. The heart, emotions, will, mind, and body are all affected by sin. We are completely sinful. We are not as sinful as we could be, but we are completely affected by sin.
The doctrine of Total Depravity is derived from scriptures that reveal human character: Man’s heart is evil (Mark 7:21-23) and sick (Jer. 17:9). Man is a slave of sin (Rom. 6:20). He does not seek for God (Rom. 3:10-12). He cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). He is at enmity with God (Eph. 2:15). And, is by nature a child of wrath (Eph. 2:3).
Now that we have looked at the definition of depraved lets look at what Romans 3 says:
- There is none righteous, not even one
- There is none who understands
- There is none who seeks God
- All have turned aside, together they have become useless
- There is none who does good, there is not even one
According to these 3 verses;
- NONE understand,
- NONE are righteous.
- NONE seek after God.
- Everyone has turned aside.
This passage puts all men under the wrath and judgment of God!
I emphasize this because the gospel emphasis this!
A Description of How sin Has Corrupted the Entire Man
Romans 3:13-19 gives a description of how sin has corrupted all parts mankind.
In Romans 6:19 Paul gives a command from God to not go on presenting our members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness. He is speaking to the believer in this passage but he is reminding him of what he once was apart from Christ. He says that the unbeliever used his members as instruments of unrighteousness.(When Paul uses the term members he is referring to how we use our bodies, the mouth, the tongue, the hands, the feet…etc. This passage in Romans 3 shows how the unbelievers used their members as instruments of unrighteousness. Look at what it says and what members of the body were used.
- Their throat is an open grave
- With their tongues they keep deceiving
- The poison of Asps (snake) is under their lips of cursing
- Their feet are swift to shed blood
- Their is no fear of God before their eyes
Galatians 5:18-21 gives more detail about how an unbeliever used the body as instruments of unrighteousness. Galatians 5:18-21 gives us a list of the fruit of the flesh. Think about what members of your body would be used to bring forth this unrighteous fruit.
There is No Fear of God Before Their Eyes
“Destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known, there is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:16-18
Mans eyes are focused on everything but God! He does not fear or reverence God. Because of this his acts of sin are taking him down a path of misery and destruction. On this path there is no peace!
Do Not Be Ashamed of the Gospel!
Because this is what the Gospel says about all people we need to be diligent to teach this to all man. If we are not teaching that man is depraved and in need of Jesus we are admitting that we are ashamed of the Gospel of Christ! Believer we need to remember were we once were before the grace of God saved us. Present this truth with grace and compassion not forgetting we were once there!
So thankful that even we were sinners that Jesus came to save us!!! We don’t have to be depraved because of who HE is! There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ
Amen Caroline, there is now no Condemnation for those who love Christ!! That truth can keep us going all this day long!!! all because of who He is! Thanks for sharing today:) God Bless!
Romans is so full of truth. I think about how I tried to live perfect and was so empty, but when I accepted that I was a depraved sinner, I finally felt full and free. Jesus was so full of things that sound like contradictions and were really the deepest truths ever known.
Praise God for our freedom in Christ! I am rejoicing Jennifer that God opened your eyes to truth!!! Yes, His truths do sound like contradictions but when He gives wisdom to understand they are foolishness no more!!! Praise Him! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing today! My heart has been greatly encouraged by your testimony!God Bless!
And the best news is that what we once were we are no more!!! Now we are saints BECAUSE of Christ! 🙂
Brianna @unveiledandrevealed.com
Amennnnnnn!!!! Saints because of Christ! Praise Him:)
That’ll preach!
Amen!
Your writing today reminds me a short book titled, “How Good Is Good Enough.” None of us are, and what a trap it would be living in the guilt of not being good enough if you truly believed you had to “earn” your way into heaven. Eternal salvation cannot be earned, only accepted. Thank you Jesus for making a way for a wretched woman like me.
Sounds like a good book. I really like the title!! If we strive to be good enough we would never make it. Yes, Deborah salvation cannot be earned. The only work that God accepts is the work of His son on the cross!Thank you Jesus is right! Thank you for stopping by today! God bless:)
THis is an excellent blog post! I’m a Christian blogger and I don’t think I’ve written about the gospel. (That sounds terrible to admit) This is a fabulous resource to point people to!
Thank you Danielle for your encouraging words and pointing people this way!! What a blessing:) I am grateful you stopped by today! God Bless:)
It a glorious thing that our Father loved us enough to send HIs son to earth to save us, in spite of our depraved state. Way to spread the gospel!
Yes, Mary it is glorious that our Father loved us even when were depraved and did not love Him! Thank you for your kind words! All for His glory and Honor! God Bless You:)
A strong finish…we should not be afraid to proclaim the gospel. Good job doing just that!
Thank you for your encouragement! Must always share the gospel! God bless!
This is a vital truth everyone needs to understand to accept the gospel! I get flabbergasted when people say they believe all men are essentially good or that they are born without sin. Have they not spent time with a 2-year old??? 😉 Seems kinda silly, but to me it is obvious that everyone is born with a sin nature and need redemption! Thank you for sharing this passage!
Very Vital truth Nicole! If we miss this we have missed the truth of the gospel! We must keep telling everyone! Your welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, doesn’t this make grace even more amazing! It’s these passages we need to be reminded of so as we don’t become complacent with what we have been rescued from. There but by the grace of God go I…
As ever, love these Romans posts, thank you 🙂
Yes, Helen it does make God’s Grace more amazinG, when we really see and understand the condition we were in when He offered us His grace! Thanks for your sweet words! God Bless:)
So true. I think that’s the biggest hurdle in sharing the gospel with non-believers who consider themselves to be good people. If people can’t see that no one is good, then they have no need for a Saviour.
Exactly right Melanie!Most people consider themselves good people and they see others as good as well. The scriptures teach us differently, we need to make sure we are standing on the truth. Praying that through our teaching the truth God opens hearts and eyes to see their need of a Savior!
I am grateful that Jesus came to bridge that gap so that I do not have to live deprived… but so many still do.
Yes, so many still do. We need to keep praying and speaking the truth!
It is so important to know that we’re not good enough AT ALL to commune with the Lord. He is Goodness and, through His Grace, he has taken our sins away! What amazing Grace!
What amazing Grace!!! Susannah, you are so right, we are and never will be good enough! Only Christ is good enough!!!Praise Him for His free gift of Grace!
Our church ladies Bible study group has been studying the book of Romans the past couple of months. Paul shared so much wisdom in his letters to the Christians in Rome. This chapter especially reminds us all of a need for a Savior!!
Paul did share much wisdom in this book. so grateful for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! I hope your study is going well! God Bless:)
I am so thankful for GRACE. My son and I were just talking about morally good people who are not saved are going to miss out on Heaven if someone isn’t brave enough to speak to them. My heart hurts for family members who are not saved and don’t see the need. Thank you for sharing with Thankful Thursdays, Lisa.
My heart hurst also for those who are not saved and do not see the need! We just need to keep praying and sharing! There is always hope! Thanks for sharing today! God Bless:)
When we as women, get online and state “I am a Christian and love Jesus and desire to encourage…” — I wait and see, I wait and see if they will speak the truth. And I often wiat in vain, for they are there to promote themselves and not the saving gospel message of salvation. THANK YOU dear sister Lisa, for not letting me wait. You are right on target. We need more like you. So glad we crossed path’s. Keep at it! JO / “M” Words and the Christian Woman
I am so glad you have been encouraged today, Jo! You have certainly encouraged me! So often when you write about the truth you wait to see if there is anyone out there seeking it! Praise Be to God, there are! God Bless, please come back for a visit!