The Human Race's Need for Reconciliation
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Thursday February 24, 2022
Reconciliation Series: The Human Race’s Need for Reconciliation
Lesson # 2
The Bible teaches that each and every member of the human race is a sinner by nature as well as by practice.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. (NASB95)
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. (NASB95)
The Bible teaches that every person born into the world without exception received the imputation of Adam’s original sin in the Garden of Eden and the nature of Adam.
This nature is always disobedient to God and making them all physically alive but spiritually dead, having no capacity whatsoever to have a relationship with God.
The first man, Adam, brought sin and death into the human race resulting in a curse whereas the “Last Adam,” Jesus Christ, brought life and blessing to the human race and so therefore, the entire human race boils down to these two men.
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (NASB95)
Because of the imputation of Adam’s original sin to the genetically formed old sin nature, every member of the human race is born physically alive but spiritually dead.
Adam’s original sin plus Adam’s sin nature equals “spiritual death,” which means that every member of the human race is separated from God and has absolutely no capacity to have a relationship with God who is holy.
This is what we call in theology “real spiritual death” meaning that Adam’s original sin is imputed to the genetically formed old sin nature, thus, the need for everyone to become born-again by believing on the Lord Jesus.
The Lord taught in John 8:34 that the human race is enslaved to sin and that only He could set them free.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 35 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (NASB95)
The book of Genesis and the book of Romans both teach that the sin nature entered the human race through Adam’s original sin in the Garden of Eden when he disobeyed the divine prohibition to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The apostle Paul in Romans 5:12-21 gives us an extensive treatment of the origins of the sin nature and its consequences and how God has dealt with it.
Romans 5:12-21 and other passages of Scripture teach that every person born into the world without exception received the imputation of Adam’s original sin in the Garden of Eden and the nature of Adam.
This nature of Adam is always disobedient to God and making them all physically alive but spiritually dead, having no capacity whatsoever to have a relationship with God.
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). 13 For you see, prior to the giving of the Law, personal sin was habitually taking place among the individual members of the human race however personal sin is never, as an eternal spiritual truth, charged to one’s account while the Law does not exist. 14 Yet, in spite of this, spiritual death reigned as king from the fall of Adam to the giving of the Law to Moses, specifically, over those who had not sinned according to the same exact transgression committed by Adam, who is, as an eternal spiritual truth, an illustration of the One destined to come. 15 However, on the other hand, absolutely not like this transgression is, as an eternal spiritual truth, also, in the same way, the gracious act. For if and let us assume that it is true for the sake of argument that by means of this transgression committed by the one, the entire human race died. Of course, we know this is true. How much more then has the grace originating from God and the gracious gift on the basis of grace, which is specifically, on the basis of the obedience of the one Man, who is Jesus, who is the Christ been generously and graciously offered to the entire human race. 16 In fact, the condemnation through the one who sinned is absolutely not, as an eternal spiritual truth, like the gift itself. On the one hand the verdict arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation while on the other hand, the gracious act arose from innumerable transgressions resulting in justification. 17 For if and let us assume that it is true for the sake of argument that by means of the transgression committed by the one, spiritual death reigned as king through this one. Of course, we know this is true. Then, how much more those who do receive His transcendent grace, specifically, the gracious gift, which is His righteousness, will, as a certainty, reign as kings by means of life through the One, who is Jesus, who is the Christ. 18 Therefore, as previously stated, just as through the one who committed the transgression resulted in condemnation affecting each and every member of the human race without exception in the same way also through the One who committed the righteous act resulted in the basis for the offer of justification, which produces (eternal) life, affecting each and every member of the human race without exception. 19 For you see, just as through the one man’s disobedience, the entire human race has been rendered sinners in the same way also through the One’s obedience, many will, as a certainty, be rendered righteous. 20 Now, the Law was an addendum in order that the transgression might increase but where personal sin increased, grace infinitely abounded. 21 In order that just as, the sin nature reigned as king in the realm of spiritual death in the same way, also grace would reign as king through righteousness resulting in eternal life through Jesus, who is the Christ, who is our Lord. (Lecturer’s translation)
In Romans 5:12, Paul is teaching his readers of the “total depravity” of humanity.
“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 humanity 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 humanity is affected and Hebrews 9:14 says that the conscience is unclean.
The heart is deceitful according to Jeremiah 17:9 and by nature humanity 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 humanity 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 the human race, 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).