I am a sinner, saved by grace. . .
. . . that saved a wretch like me. . .
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. . .
These are just a few phrases from some very popular songs that teach we are all sinners. That’s nothing new, right? I mean after all, the whole point of the gospel is that Jesus Christ came to save sinners like us. When witnessing, the first place we start is by explaining to people that they are sinners by nature and they can’t live righteously, because even the “good” things they do are like filthy rags. But while we might cheerfully sing the above lyrics and thank God once again for our salvation (as we should), are we really ready to face the reality of our own depravity?
The Bible teaches what many theologians call total depravity. It’s the technical way of saying we’re not just bad, we’re bad all the way through. This doesn’t mean we all sin to the fullest extent possible. We all go our own way and we all chase after different lusts, but in the end we all totally rebel against God and try to live lives the way we want to live them. The billionare philanthropist who’s trying to be good enough to get heaven is just as sold to his idols of pride, selfishness, and independence as the addict is to his idols of drugs, booze, and cigarettes. Without the help of God, none of us are able to live a life of selfless love for God and others.
Now, most of the people reading this are probably with me so far. All who have been saved by Christ recognize that they are sinners and they can’t rescue themselves from themselves, they need Christ. They’ve also learned from God’s Word as well was experience that even once saved, the battles with our pull toward sin continue. So why am I asking if we’re ready to face something we already agree with?
The answer is simple. I’ve noticed in others as well as my own life that while we may be quick to admit that we are sinners, we don’t like it when people start pointing out how we are sinners. It’s OK to admit I’m depraved, because everyone is depraved and God saved me. But depravity takes on a whole new level when are start actually seeing its ugly manifestations in my life.
I remember being at CIT (camper in training) at the Wilds Christian camp. The speaker said that he was starting to get frustrated that pride and selfishness had become the new “acceptable” sins. Not that anyone accepted them, but when he asked teens what they struggled with, they always said pride and selfishness. But whenever he would ask them how they were proud or selfish they wouldn’t be able to give a clear answer. So he had us do a project. We had to write out 70 ways we were selfish.
I was surprised at how difficult the activity was. I had a hard time coming up with ways I was selfish. Why was that? Well, my struggle was for one of two reasons. Either I wasn’t really selfish as I thought (and just in case you were wondering, that wasn’t it) or it was because I didn’t like to see my selfishness. As a vague, far out sin that a lot of other people struggled with, selfishness was a problem but not that big a problem. It’s less painful to admit to “selfishness” than to taking the last bit of ice cream without thinking of others or ignoring the unpopular kid because I’m too busy hanging out with my friends.
And don’t we all do that to an extent? We admit we’re proud, then when people correct us we get bent out of shape. We “amen” the preacher when he preaches on idolatry out of I Kings, but we get angry when someone points out that we spend way too much time on our toys. We admit we’re sinners, yet we don’t like to admit we sin.
Total depravity is fine as a vague theological truth that applies to the entire human race, but it’s a totally different story when it’s seen in my every day actions and reactions. So are we ready to allow God to peel back the layers and show us how bad we really are? Are we ready to get specific with Him about our sin and with the help of His Spirit start the long and painful process of spiritual growth? Are we ready to face the harsh reality of our own depravity?