FEB 3

Romans 3:23
Memorise Isaiah 44:22
“…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”

The first of the 5 points of Calvinism teaches that every person born into this world is enslaved to sin. “Total” means that there is no good in us whatsoever. Every aspect of humanity is depraved and sinful, unwilling and incapable of any spiritual good, for we are spiritually dead (Romans 3:23). Every thought and action is tainted with sin. Man continually seeks only to satisfy his selfish ends and not to acknowledge God. Although man is made in the image of God, he does not seek after God and instead rebels against Him continually. But aren’t there at least some good people in the world? What about the philanthropist who dedicates his time and resources to help the poor or the kind person who willingly gives up his seat for the elderly? Are they not good? Scripture teaches that no, not even those acts are good. God’s Word says that every intention and thought is evil continually (Genesis 6:5). We are sinners from the moment we come into this world (Psalm 51:5). None are righteous, none seek God (Romans 3:10-11). Behind what appears to be a kind act is a heart that harbors a selfish purpose and thought, and if the person is not a believer, he is not doing it for the glory of God. Although we cannot read the hearts of man, God can, and He reveals the truth in Scripture. The doctrine of Total Depravity is biblical; this is what Scripture teaches.

Do you consider yourself a bad person? Or do you feel that you are not all that bad. The reality is that we are all bad; we are all sinners. We may not be murderers, but when we are angry, we despise others and lash out at them with hatred and vengeance. If you search your heart honestly, do you find purity? The answer is a resounding “No”. We are all tainted with sin. However, there is a difference between believers and unbelievers. Because of what Christ did for believers, we are completely washed clean of our sins (Isaiah 1:18). We can become pure. Furthermore, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we now have power to overcome sin. We are not only able to overcome sin in our lives, we are also truly able to do what is spiritually pure and good. We are no longer totally depraved. However, we are still capable of sinning. This happens when we are weak and succumb to temptation. When that happens, we must repent and seek the Lord’s forgiveness, for He is always just and able to forgive us of our sins.

Thought: When believers sin, it is like the dog returning to its vomit.
Prayer: Father, thank You for saving me. Keep me pure always.