The Depravity of Man
One of the most fundamental questions of human existence is this: “Is mankind basically good or bad?” Mankind believes that he is basically good. But God’s evaluation of mankind in Psalm 53 is is strikingly different. This psalm gives one of the clearest pictures of the depravity of mankind in the Bible.
David says that the majority of people live as if God doesn’t not exist (53:1). They are “fools,” denying that God has any relevance for their lives. They are “corrupt” at heart and demonstrate this moral perversity as they commit abominable sins against God and others (53:1). David says that there is no one that does any good (53:1). Deeds are ONLY good if they are done to the glory of God, anything else is worthless.
God evaluates mankind and this is what He has found: there is no one that understands and seeks after Him. If they had understood the nature of God, they would live in fear of His judgement upon their sins and would have availed themselves of His grace and forgiveness (53:2-3). God also finds that no man naturally seeks after Him (53:2). There are no such thing as “seekers;” those that seek after God. Mankind, apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, will not acknowledge God or seek to know Him. All have turned aside to follow their own way and are estranged from God. There is no single individual that is good (53:3).
Brethren, fully appreciate the grace of God and His salvation through Christ Jesus, because you were like everyone else. You were dead in your trespasses and sins and had only God’s wrath to look forward to (Eph 2:1-3). Yet, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
