Salvation-The Total Depravity of Mankind
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Wednesday December 2, 2015
Salvation: The Total Depravity of Mankind
Lesson # 6
Romans 5:12 Therefore, based on this (principle), just as, through one man, the sin nature entered into the human race so that spiritual death entered through this sin nature. Thus, in this manner, spiritual death spread to each and every member of the human race without exception because each and every member of the human race sinned (the moment Adam sinned). (My translation)
In Romans 5:12, Paul is teaching his readers of the “total depravity” of mankind.
“Total depravity” means not only that the corruption has extended to all aspects of man’s nature, to his entire being as well but also that because of that corruption mankind has no merit with God.
The implications of depravity are critical in relation to salvation in that man has no ability whatsoever to save himself or justify himself before a holy God.
The Lord labeled His disciples evil in Matthew 7:11 because of their depraved nature.
Romans 1:28 and Ephesians 4:18 teach that the mind of mankind is affected and Hebrews 9:14 says that the conscience is unclean.
The heart is deceitful according to Jeremiah 17:9 and by nature mankind is under the righteous indignation of God, i.e. His wrath according to Ephesian 2:3 and Romans 1:18.
Depravity affects the soul (Mark 7:20-23), thus defiling man’s thought process, which manifests itself in sinful words and actions.
The concept of total depravity does not mean that mankind cannot perform actions that are good or helpful to others or in God’s sight.
What it does mean is that man can perform no action that could gain him merit with God?
Total depravity means that man has absolutely no merit with God since he does not measure up to God’s perfect standards.
It also means that man’s conscience has been affected by the Fall of Adam so that it cannot be a safe and reliable guide.
Nor, does total depravity mean that people will indulge in every form of sin or any sin to the greatest extent possible.
The fact that the entire human race is totally depraved is manifested through the practice of sin among both Jew and Gentiles.
In Romans 1:18-32, Paul demonstrates that the Gentiles are unrighteous and totally depraved by virtue of their sinful conduct and failure to worship God in light of God’s self-revelation in creation as well as their failure to obey the moral law inherent within them.
In Romans 2:1-29, he demonstrates that the Jews are unrighteous and totally depraved as well as manifested in their failure to obey perfectly the written Law of God and committing the same sins that the Gentiles committed.
In Romans 3:9-20, Paul summarizes his statements in Romans 1:18-2:29 and teaches the totally depravity and universal unrighteousness of mankind, both Jew and Gentile.
There are other passages of Scriptures that address the issue of man’s total depravity (cf. Job 14:1-4; 15:14-16; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19-20).