Why it is Important⤒🔗

If one would ask to what extent man is involved in sin, the answer would widely vary. Some view sin as only an act that is imitated; others regard it as the result of man’s nature. In his commentary on the Psalms, the Reformer John Calvin stated, “Indeed, every sin should convince us of the general truth of the corruption of our nature” (Psalm II, p. 290).

Why is it important to know the extent of sin in the depraved condition of man? Many agree that man is sinful, but why is it necessary to see how sinful? Whether by an inch or a million yards, we fall short of the perfection and glory of God. We miss the mark of perfect holiness and righteousness. If we have some good remaining in us, then to whatever extent that goodness is, to that extent we can merit favor before God. And if we can merit it, it is then a matter of capac­ity and willingness. Are we capable and willing in our fallen nature and entire makeup to perform merit before the holy and righteous God? The importance lies in whether the matter of salvation is a cooperative work between God and man, or whether salvation is entirely of the Lord.

What it is←⤒🔗

When we speak about the depravity of man, we are viewing man in his fallen state. The total depravity of man is thus the result of the original sin of Adam upon man. That original sin became ours, as Rev. Hellenbroek stated in his Specimen of Divine Truths, “by imputation and heredity” (p. 33).

Man in his makeup of body and soul, as he is born and conceived in sin after the fall and original sin of Adam, is totally depraved. Fallen man’s entire being is polluted and corrupted in sin. Louis Berkhof, in his Systematic Theology, said “in view of its pervasive character, inherited pollution is called total depravity” (p. 246). In all his mind, will, emotions, and strength, man is depraved. There is nothing found in us that can render us acceptable before God. All of our thoughts, words, and deeds are sinful because our nature is totally sinful.

The extent of that depravity, as it encompasses man’s total being, renders every one of us spiritually blind and deaf in and of ourselves, so that we are wholly unable and unwilling to seek after God. Thus the notion that man has free will, set forth by Arminius and Pelagius, is an error opposing the Scriptures. “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Rom. 3:11).

There is nothing in our fallen and deadened state that will give us power or willingness to comply with God’s law or to heed the gospel and prepare us for salvation. “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one” (Job 14:4). “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil” (Jer. 13:23).

How it Functions←⤒🔗

Total depravity displays what we are in all that we do. We are not sinners because we sin, but rather we sin because we are sinners. Our actual sins are the result of our original sin.

Jesus used the example of a tree to explain this concept: “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Matt. 7:17-18). The fruit of a tree coincides with its nature. Because by nature we are all the seed of the serpent and the children of Adam, we bear no good fruit but only evil. The light we have by nature is that which at best can render us inexcusable. We are worthy to be punished eternally.

The Remedy←⤒🔗

There is, however, a remedy for our natural condition. There is hope in Christ for totally depraved sinners. The remedy is found in the second Adam, the seed of the woman, the Lord Jesus Christ. The totally perfect and holy Son of God is the only and complete remedy for totally depraved sinners. He paid the penalty that was due for the sins of His people. “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9).

Regenerated sinners are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. By grace the eyes of their understanding are enlightened and God’s people are given to know the “exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Eph. 1:19).