Mark, fallen man is utterly depraved. The Sovereign God elects whom he will save unconditionally. It God's Grace moves in your heart, it is impossible to resist Him. My hope is that you will be chosen.
"Romans 3:10-12 (NKJV) As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."
"There is none who does good." People will admit their sinners, but not many will admit sin is this serious. Is there really none who do good? We see unbelievers doing good every day, obeying laws, providing for their families, giving to the needy. Is Paul using hyperbole here? Is he exaggerating to make his point? No! This is God's judgement on fallen man. What is the standard for good, the standard by which we shall all be judged? God's law. In biblical categories a good deed is measured in two parts, outward conformity and motivation. We look at outward appearance but God reads the heart. For a work to be considered good it must not only conform outwardly to the law of God, but it must be motivated inwardly by a sincere love for God. From this perspective it is easy to see that no one does good. Our best works are tainted by our less than pure motives. God doesn't grade on a curve. He demands perfection. We do not do what God commands ever!
Romans 3:11 (NKJV) There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
Do you believe that? Have you ever heard someone say, "they're not a Christian but they are searching." I've got a secret to tell you-- God is not hiding. In the garden of Eden who hid? God? No! Adam and Eve hid from God, he was looking for them.
Luke 19:10 (NKJV) "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Jesus is the one seeking and saving. People don't seek God. They might seek after the benefits that God can give them, but they don't seek God Himself.
Romans 3:18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Men have no fear of the Holiness and justice of God.
Santiago
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