Last time we looked at doctrine of total depravity, that there is nothing good in man. This offends the pride of natural man, and this is the “offense” of the cross that keeps many from simply coming to Christ to ask for mercy.
Here is a parable told by Jesus to the disciples in Luke 18:10-14 – “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Why do I love the doctrine of total depravity? Because it teaches me that there is absolutely nothing in me worthy of salvation, and forces me to trust completely in the mercy of Christ. When I am weak, I see more of the strength of Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” If that is true, how glorious is the doctrine of total depravity! There was NOTHING of worth in me for Christ to save, but it pleased Him to demonstrate His mercy through me.
Where then is boasting? If you see any good in me, that is to the glory of Christ alone! I will not boast in any “decision”, I will not boast in any “work”, I will not boast in any “belief”, but that it should be rightly attributed to the shed blood of Christ, His grace to me, and His Spirit within me.
How do I take comfort after reading Romans 3:9-20? The rest of Romans.
Romans 3:21-23 – “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
The only people in Heaven are righteous people. None is righteous, save Jesus Christ alone. His righteousness is ours through faith and even that faith to believe was a gift purchased through His blood on the cross. That means, yesterday, today, and tomorrow when God sees you, He sees the perfect righteousness of Christ. Words cannot describe how great a love God has for Christ, and when He sees you, He sees Him. Now if there is nothing in your power that brings you to Christ, save Christ alone, what is there that can take you away from Him? NOTHING. This is why we can have peace in the assurance of our salvation through Christ alone. This is why we can press the promises of Romans 8:33-39 deep into our hearts when struggles/suffering comes our way.
Romans 8:33-39 – “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Everyone falls short… daily. If you are waiting to clean your life up to “get right with God”, you will never get there. The good news is that God sent His Son, Christ, that we who believe would be given His righteousness. Today is the day of salvation. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law of works, by becoming a curse for us on a tree, that we might be reconciled to God through His righteousness. Nothing can be added to His work and nothing can be taken away. My encouragement is to remind yourself and your fellow brothers and sisters of this Truth daily.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
Following the Way 