Thursday, March 08, 2007

Just How Bad Am I Doc?

Total Depravity is not well understood. Do we really know our propensity for evil? If it were not for God’s common grace, do we really know how bad it could be?

‘The natural man does not accept the things of the spirit of God” (I Cor. 2:14)
“so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom 5:12)
“the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.” (Rom 8:7)
“men walk in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God.” (Eph. 4:17-18)

Everything we touch is tainted by sin. Even our good deeds are soiled by our agendas, motives, and pride.

Our commitment to autonomy is ultimately our undoing. Do I really believe this?

We are so bad, that we are even inconsistent in our badness. We arrive at truth because we are corrupted at being bad.

Everyday we ignore the Lordship of God- We distort His nature- we misuse His name- We refuse to worship or show gratitude for Him- We pollute His Sabbath- We corrupt His temple- We usurp His authority- We harm His children- We steal His goods- We testify falsehood- and refuse to trust His provision…. Surely… not me?!

We even dare criticize Him for His wrath.

In my futility, I judge Him by my yardstick of carnal ignorance.
I sit back and watch countless people smear the name of His son.
I have kicked Him off the throne of my heart- I am asserting my own kingship.

Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”

How bad is it? I’m afraid it is terminal. If I stay committed to my own independence, I am storing up a crap load of wrath.

Be afraid…be very afraid. An eternally atomic bullet is hurling toward my pride. I sit and laugh and party and sing and fart around. The momentum of this single sin caliber weapon will splatter me to splinters. My stained fingers and tongue wags at the shooter. I act as if it will never hit me. Surely it is going at another.

As I heartily justify my pitiful excuses, I don’t even pause to notice a love soaked brow stepping in the path of my destruction. I am a slime ball piece of filth. Lord, please don’t even dare look my way.

No comments: