The Gospel Unveiled: From Depravity to Hope-Part 1 Understanding Utter Depravity

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Sanctified Mind. My name is Chris Painter I am honored that you are watching this and I hope that it will a help to you in your journey as followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Today I will be starting a new series titled “The Gospel Unveiled: From Depravity to Hope” and to begin we will talk about the concept of Utter Depravity. As the series continues we will look at the Universality of Sin, The Need for a Savior, The Gospel Message, Putting Faith in Jesus, and conclude with what it means to Serve Jesus with All Your Heart, Soul and Strength.

As always, my intent is to point you to what scripture has to say so we will be looking at various passages together. If you have your own Bible, I would encourage you to pause the video whenever I reference a specific scriptures and use it to look up the passages that we are studying so that you become more familiar navigating the Bible yourself.

Understanding Utter Depravity

"Utter Depravity" is a concept that is foundational to understanding the human condition as depicted in the Bible. Let's delve right in.

What is Utter Depravity?

Utter Depravity refers to the idea that every aspect of our human nature is corrupted by sin. It means our hearts, minds, and wills are tainted, making us morally incapable of reaching the standard of perfection set by God. This concept asserts that sin isn't just something we do; it's something we are, affecting our very core.

Biblical Evidence of Utter Depravity

The Bible gives us examples that prove to us that man is depraved.

Our understanding of Utter Depravity begins in the Garden of Eden. God created Adam and Eve in a state of innocence, yet they chose to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-7). This act introduced sin into the world and forever altered the nature of humanity.

Genesis 6:5–13 “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Here, in the early chapters of Genesis, we see humanity's descent into wickedness, showcasing the pervasive nature of sin in human hearts.

Romans 3:9–20 “What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”

Romans 5:12–14 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.”

Paul's words in Romans highlight the universal sinfulness of humanity. No one, according to Paul, is exempt from this fallen state.

Ephesians 2:1–3 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Ephesians emphasizes the spiritual death that sin causes. It's a state of separation from God, leaving us in desperate need of salvation. The Apostle Paul paints a vivid picture of our spiritual condition before coming to faith in Christ. To be "dead in trespasses and sins" means:

Spiritual Separation: We were spiritually separated from God. Sin creates a chasm between us and our Creator. It's a separation that no human effort can bridge. It underscores the desperation of our situation. If we were spiritually dead, we were without hope in and of ourselves.

Spiritual Inability: We were not only separated but spiritually incapacitated. Just as a corpse cannot respond to stimuli or take any action, a person dead in trespasses and sins is unable to respond positively to God. We were powerless to save ourselves or even to seek God. Recognizing our spiritual deadness reinforces the need for divine intervention. Just as a dead person needs someone to resurrect them, we needed God to bring us to life spiritually.

Slavery to Sin: Being "dead in trespasses and sins" implies that we were enslaved to sin. Sin had a firm grip on our lives, directing our thoughts, desires, and actions. We were held captive by our sinful nature.

Condemned: The deadness in trespasses and sins also implies a state of spiritual condemnation. In our sinful state, we stood under the judgment of God. Our spiritual condition was perilous.

Implications of Utter Depravity

Understanding Utter Depravity has profound implications for everyone:

Humility: Recognizing our utter depravity humbles us. It eliminates any grounds for boasting about our goodness or righteousness because none of us are good or righteous on our own.

Desperate Need for a Savior: When we grasp the depth of our depravity, we realize we can't save ourselves. We need a Savior. This sets the stage for understanding the significance of Jesus.

Equality: Utter Depravity puts everyone on an equal footing. It eradicates any notion of some being inherently better than others. We are all equally in need of grace.

Understanding our depravity as the foundation for receiving God's grace is foundational. It's not a pessimistic view but a realistic one, helping us grasp the depths of our need for God's grace and salvation. Let's see why this understanding is so essential, using the example from 1 John 1:8-10

1 John 1:8–10 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

This verse from the Apostle John's letter speaks directly to the heart of the matter. It acknowledges that if we claim to be without sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth of God's Word is not in us. This self-deception can lead to spiritual pride, where we believe we don't need God's grace because we think we're good enough on our own which can prevent us from receiving the gift of salvation. When we see our sin clearly, the grace of God becomes even more beautiful.

Recently I saw an interview of Mike Tyson and one thing that he said really resonated with me that highlights the intersection of personal pride and humility. He said “Sometimes I get in my head and think I'm somebody and then I'm easily offended. But when I know I'm nobody I could never be offended.” When I finally recognized that I am a sinner and worthless it was a turning point. Once you look at yourself and understand that because of your sin, you are in real trouble and that you will one day come face-to-face with a holy God, you will realize how insignificant you are on your own. It will make you feel small and unworthy. It will make you come to terms with how absurd it is to be offended as if you were important enough to never face offense. But God, who desires mercy, wants to elevate us. He wants to make us worthy. He wants to extend us grace. What is grace? It's the undeserved favor and forgiveness that God extends to us despite our unworthiness. Romans 5:6-11 beautifully articulates this:

Romans 5:6–11 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

In his book "Mere Christianity," C.S. Lewis addresses the fallen state of humanity. He writes, "Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms."  Lewis emphasizes the rebellious nature of humanity, highlighting the idea that we are not merely sick but in active opposition to God's will, we were enemies.

This understanding is not meant to crush our spirits but to liberate us. Realizing the depth of our brokenness makes the grace of God shine all the more brightly. It’s in our utter helplessness that the power of God's salvation becomes evident. It is where we begin. Our pride must first be broken down so that we can start fresh with a proper foundation on Christ who is our rock. Recognizing our depravity fosters humility. It's a humbling acknowledgment that we fall short of God's perfection. Humility is the posture from which grace is most effectively received. Turning to 1 Peter 5:5 it says this:

1 Peter 5:5–11 “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Let’s look at another passage like this in James 4:1

James 4:1–10 “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be …”

Recognizing our depravity leads to an understanding that we can't save ourselves. We are dependent on Christ, the Savior, who gave Himself for our redemption. As we just read, this dependence strengthens our relationship with Him as we acknowledge our need for His guidance and forgiveness. Finally, understanding our depravity sets the stage for personal transformation. As we accept our need for grace, we invite God's transformative power into our lives. The apostle Paul, who himself recognized his need for God's grace, expressed this transformation in Romans 12:2:

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

In summary, recognizing our depravity is the foundational step to receiving grace because it leads to humility, dependence on Christ, and transformation. It acknowledges our need for divine intervention and opens the door for the abundant grace that God offers. By understanding our fallen nature, we allow God's truth and grace to work in us and through us, bringing us into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with our Creator and Savior. And through His help we begin to transform from our former self to the new self.

Well that is it for Part I of this series, In part II, we'll discuss the Universality of Sin.

I hope this lesson is a blessing to you and a guide.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; and give you peace.

Amen, and until next time...God bless.‌

*‌**Stop Recording***

Dead in Trespasses and Sins

Spiritual Separation: We were spiritually separated from God. Sin creates a chasm between us and our Creator. It's a separation that no human effort can bridge. It underscores the desperation of our situation. If we were spiritually dead, we were without hope in and of ourselves.

Spiritual Inability: We were not only separated but spiritually incapacitated. Just as a corpse cannot respond to stimuli or take any action, a person dead in trespasses and sins is unable to respond positively to God. We were powerless to save ourselves or even to seek God. Recognizing our spiritual deadness reinforces the need for divine intervention. Just as a dead person needs someone to resurrect them, we needed God to bring us to life spiritually.

Slavery to Sin: Being "dead in trespasses and sins" implies that we were enslaved to sin. Sin had a firm grip on our lives, directing our thoughts, desires, and actions. We were held captive by our sinful nature.

Condemned: The deadness in trespasses and sins also implies a state of spiritual condemnation. In our sinful state, we stood under the judgment of God. Our spiritual condition was perilous.

Implications

Humility: Recognizing our utter depravity humbles us. It eliminates any grounds for boasting about our goodness or righteousness because none of us are good or righteous on our own.

Desperate Need for a Savior: When we grasp the depth of our depravity, we realize we can't save ourselves. We need a Savior. This sets the stage for understanding the significance of Jesus.

Equality: Utter Depravity puts everyone on an equal footing. It eradicates any notion of some being inherently better than others. We are all equally in need of grace.